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- For The Sake of a Lady
- By Leucine
- Chapter 1
- >It is evening and with it you are traveling back from one of Ponyville's better bars with Rainbow
- Dash, to your home
- >It's been a good week so far, your new job with assisting Twilight with the more technical aspects of
- her research proving stimulating if still challenging at times
- >You're on the outskirts of the town and one of its lakes is visible from here
- >"Hey, Dash, wanna join me in kicking back by the lake?"
- >She throws her eyes up at the prospect but keeps the grin
- >"Sure, dude, I'd just love to sit doing nothing while getting in touch with my feelings."
- >You swat at her, a move which she avoids with practiced grace
- >But looking at that grin it's impossible to be angry with her
- >"Hey are we still on for this Saturday?"
- >Did she sound nervous? It's not like The Dash to sound nervous like that
- >"You know we are. Usual place?"
- >"Yeah! Just don't bring a date, dude, I don't think it's Junebug's kind of thing."
- >Ah, that again. She's been needling you incessantly about the mare
- >Ever since you told her that, after three years here, you'd made your peace with the fact that it was
- ponies or nothing - not to mention the party Pinkie threw, replete with a song and dance number - she'd
- taken every opportunity to bring up the flower salesmare. And all because she was the first to approach
- you at the party and ask if you wanted to go out some time
- >An offer you turned down
- >"C'mon, Dash, I told you before she's not my type."
- >Bad move. Those choice words send the mare into raucous laughter, leaning back in her flight while
- clutching her sides
- >"D-Dude, you've been out for, like, five days and you already know your type?"
- >"I know what isn't my type."
- >You turn and start off for the lake, eager to leave to get down to making the most of the sunshine that
- remains
- >"Hey, Anon, you know I'm just joshin' ya. Look, I gotta get up early tomorrow for the weather patrol,
- catch you tomorrow night?"
- >"As always."
- >At that she's off, flapping up and westwards to her cloud home
- >You watch her fly off for a few moments before before you make for the lakeside
- >There's a tree, just near the shore, that you sometimes like to sit against and admire the sun going
- down, on evenings like this
- >Being in Equestria for these past few years has taught you to enjoy these sights and to appreciate the
- quietness they bring
- >You arrive at the tree and sink down onto your behind, pressing your back lazily against it
- >It's a good time to reflect
- >Life, for you, in Equestria hasn't been as easy as one might think - considering it -is- a magical land of
- talking ponies
- >In fact, one could easily say it's been trying, what with all the unwanted sexual advances and outright
- rape attempts
- >Finding a friend in Rainbow Dash had certainly helped with the latter though not really the former
- >And your recent announcement - despite your strenuous requests for it not to be -made- an
- announcement - had certainly not helped matters
- >But all the same, you had found a new sense of peace at coming to terms with yourself. Perhaps this
- would signal a turn in your luck
- >Luck... that hadn't been too good starting out. Work for you was mostly manual labour, the kinds of
- things ponies would need unicorns for and they were in short supply in that sector
- >Thankfully mathematics is universal and you eventually found a means to put your more technical
- skills to use for Twilight Sparkle. Initially she had compensated you herself but you began to take on so
- much work that Princess Celestia started paying you your own stipend
- >And now you'd settled into that, with regular trips out with your bro. Life wasn't that bad really but
- then it could always be better
- >Muffled hoofsteps sound off to your side and you're left wondering at that
- >Surely it wouldn't be Rainbow - she might put up with it from time to time but she'd made her
- disinterest clear this evening - and you know you've never broadcast the fact that you like to spend time
- alone out here
- >"I might have known a gentlecolt like you would be able to take such pleasure in life's simpler
- things."
- >Seems your ruminations on this hopeful new peace were for naught
- >You know that affected Manehattenite accent all too well. Oh yes, you'd had many opportunities to
- become intimately familiar with its range of tones
- >It belonged, of course, to one of your 'suitors' though thankfully she was not of the variety that would
- tie you to bedposts before attempting to act the pogo-stick on you
- >No, Rarity was a hopeless romantic at heart and had time and again roped you into little romantic
- excursions designed to draw out your apparently repressed feelings for her
- >It had been more irritating than anything else but the fact it had been going on for so long had just
- worn you down
- >Which is why, right now, you just can't deal with it. This had been one of your better days and this
- would have been a nice way to round it off
- >"Rarity, look, I'm really not in the mood for this. If you don't mind I'd just like to be by myself."
- >The hoofsteps stop suddenly, a ways off from you
- >There's the sound of one being lifted and then put down, then a second and another and so on
- >She was not the only one to have such a nervous affectation and though you don't care to think upon
- what has her in such a state
- >"Yes, I... I know. You see, that's why I'm here, Anon. I wanted... I wanted to apologise to you. For
- everything but mostly just for how selfish I've been."
- >Hello, this is new
- >Rarity would always act ignorant of or simply outright ignore your more direct attempts to convey
- your disinterest
- >And yes, while those occasions were not the worst things to be inflicted upon you they nonetheless
- ate into your time and generally pissed you off
- >With a world weary sigh you motion towards yourself
- >"Alright, let's have it."
- >With all her gentile grace she trots up to you and sits herself down next your side
- >You look up to see she isn't looking at you but out towards the lake. Thinking better of staring at her
- you turn to face it, yourself
- >"I've... come to understand you shan't ever return my... well, my feelings towards you."
- >You hear a gentle little laugh, with just the hint of strain behind it
- >"I suppose I had known all along; really, I kept the tiny embers of hope alive going within myself,
- always ready to assure myself that this time, Rarity, your winning smile and charm will get through!"
- >You turn to her and see that, while she's smiling it's a tiny thing and wavering
- >Her gaze is still turned towards the lake but it appears distant. Perhaps there's something out there
- that's caught her interest
- >The sun's reflection on it really is beautiful. You turn once more and see the oranges and yellows cast
- onto her pristine coat. It's quite a nice sight
- >"And... oh well, you know, it's alright. Really, it is! I understand after all I've done you would never
- wish for us to be together. It's just-"
- >Her voice hitches suddenly on those words and you turn to her once more
- >Now that tiny smile is gone, though her bottom lip still trembles and there you can see the sunlight
- glistening in moisture at the corners of her eyes
- >"I just truly wanted to believe that somep0ny like you could see in me what I have always seen in you.
- That... that some day you might feel I was deserving of... of your... affections..."
- >Now it's her turn to face you and when she does you can see that this isn't one of her acts
- >Her features look drawn and haggard and her eyes are red and puffy. You'd never known her to allow
- herself to fall into such a state, despite whatever may happen
- >She would have her melodramatic fits, oh yes but this was not one of them. Even you could tell that
- >You know it's wrong, you'd drilled it into yourself but you still feel your heart go out to the mare
- >And in doing so, you reach out yourself and draw her into a gentle embrace
- >It takes but a moment before you feel her own forelegs wrap tightly around you
- >"Rarity, do you really mean all that?"
- >"Yes! Yes, every word of it!"
- >Her voice is still wavering but she's put a little strength into it, enough to say those words before she
- needs to sniffle
- >She did indeed sound sincere in her remorse and... could you?
- >After all, she had never been violent with you, had never done more than really irritate you. She had
- grace and style, beauty (as much as you were willing to admit of a pony) and a wit all her own
- >Could perhaps this be what you had begun searching for?
- >Would it truly be so awful if you just gave her the chance? At the very least if things didn't work out
- she'd see for herself...
- >"Okay then. I'm going to make you a promise, alright?"
- >You extricate yourself from her grip and Rarity, too, reluctantly lets go. She wipes a foreleg over her
- eyes as she sets herself back down
- >"W-What kind of promise?"
- >You're still not entirely sure of this. You know how much trouble it could still bring down upon you
- and how, unless the planets align and Celestia and Luna themselves command you, you may still not be
- able to give her what she wants but...
- >"I'm going to promise you that if you truly mean what you've said and are willing to halt your
- advances, I'm willing to give you a chance."
- >"A... A chance?"
- >Ah, that quaver is gone and already you can see a hint of a smile begin to blossom on her lips
- >Though you can't explain why, it feeds your growing desire to say these words
- >"Yes. A chance. A chance to... get through to me. I won't deny that I'm still getting used to the idea
- of... being in a relationship with a pony but throughout all we've been through you've always found the
- time to genuinely be nice to me."
- >And there goes that smile, growing inch by inch. You'd never thought it might feel so good to make
- Rarity smile like that
- >"You know, I think that deep down, you're not like the others, that a part of you wants to be with me
- for who I am, not what. And so I want to give you the chance to prove to me that side of yourself
- exists."
- >Rarity looks down suddenly, hearing that but not so fast that you don't see the drops of moisture at her
- eyes once more
- >You allow her to sit there like that, for a moment more before you take her in your arms again
- >"Thank you!"
- >Her voice is quavering again but when she pulls back to look at you, there's a smile on her face. Not
- like the others - this one you can feel the warmth of
- >"I know I don't deserve this... and I promise you won't regret what you've said! I'm just... glad that
- there are still things I can learn about generosity.
- Chapter 2
- >Content, that's what you feel. It's something you haven't felt that often while living here but it's always
- good
- >Yes, it really had been surprising how good it felt to do that for Rarity and so you could only recline
- on your couch, now at home, and think back on it
- >She had departed soon after, though not for want of staying on, though she assured you it was only so
- she could work on some new outfits she could be seen wearing with you
- >That contentment gives way to a sort of giddiness at that thought. You were finally going to be seen to
- be involved with another pony
- >You have no doubt that Rarity might prove trying at times but then we all have our faults, yes? For all
- those, there was a charm about her that was undeniable
- >Ah but tomorrow was Friday and you'd promised to meet Dash that night. Should you bring it up
- then? At all? How would she react?
- >Yes, that giddiness is quickly waning, now turning to anxiety
- >Dash had... excused you from Rarity's presence more than once, would she be willing to accept this
- sudden change in events?
- >And then what about those jokes about Junebug?
- >You don't know if Dash knows her well or not but isn't it possible she may be suggesting something?
- Could she be, not so subtley, trying to set you up?
- >Whatever it is, they're both grown mares and can deal with these issues themselves. You have your
- own life to look out for
- >But that doesn't do much to settle your mind
- >You flip through a magazine and smile at some of the familiar outfits designed by Rarity. She'd been
- so proud to seem them featured in La Femme
- >Rarity... Again your mind travels that route, from Rarity to Dash to Junebug back to Dash...
- >There's only one way you're going to be able to take your mind off this
- >You get up and walk to the kitchen, hoping that you've still got something strong in the cupboards
- >No, you rifle through them before recalling you'd polished off the last of the brandy when Pinkie had
- thrown that impromptu house party
- >Okay, it would be best not to bring it up on Saturday, and possibly ruin the whole day then. Tomorrow
- would be okay, she could sleep on it
- >With a heavy sigh you turn and proceed up to bed. Any sleep you might have been able to get with
- that contentment was gone now; you knew you'd be awake for some time worrying about this
- >Dash is easily the closest pony to you, had been a stalwart friend since almost the day she met you.
- The last thing you wanted was to lose that
- >With such thoughts running through your mind you settle into your bed and try - however futile it
- may be - to get some sleep
- >As it happened sleep wasn't that hard to come by. Your thoughts had quietened quick enough and you
- were on to peaceful rest
- >Morning was the standard fare of washing, dressing eating though thankfully without any pesky earth
- or pegasus ponies trying to knock your door down and have you knock them up
- >Then it was on to assist Twilight again. Though, for obvious reasons, you were restricted to her more
- scientific and not magical studies. At least it gave you the chance to share intellectual pursuits with
- someone who had a passion for them
- >You were a little surprised when she stopped by just before your break, tapping you on your shoulder
- and turning around to see a smug grin on her face
- >"A little dragon told me you're dating somep0ny close to his heart."
- >She gives one of her cute little giggles, the kind that reminds you she's more than just a brain on legs
- >"Well he didn't so much tell me as he ranted most of last night about it. Honestly, it was bad enough
- when Rarity was chasing after you, now he's lost it!"
- >She continues laughing for a moment before calming down and looking at you more seriously
- >"Is it true? I really would have thought given how much trouble she was she'd be the last pony you'd
- want to get involved with."
- >You turn back to the notes you'd been working on, mulling her words for a moment
- >"I suppose you could say that. She came to me yesterday to apologise for... all that. Was pretty upset
- about it, too so I thought, you know, why not at least just give her the chance."
- >Twilight had been nodding through your words, a smile growing throughout
- >"I guess I don't need to warn you to be careful, then. I know she's been..."
- >"Distracted?"
- >"That's one way of putting it. So, distracted, since you arrived but she really is a good pony at heart.
- And if she really does love you and you... -if- you develop feelings for her I hope you'll be happy
- together."
- >It warms your heart to hear her say that. You might have expected a severe warning or even a 'don't
- say I didn't warn you' but this is refreshing, to say the least
- >"Thanks, Twi. You know, as funny as it sounds I do hope it'll work out for us. She's... nice."
- >No, not 'nice' as in 'okay' or 'passable', you mean genuinely, down to earth, honest to goodness nice
- >Thankfully, Twilight appears to pick up on your meaning
- >"So when's the first date?"
- >First date?
- >Ah yes, you hadn't even given any thought to when or where you were even going to take her out.
- Then again, your route home does take you past her boutique, it'd be just as easy as calling in on your
- way...
- >"I was thinking maybe this Saturday, as long as she doesn't have anything planned already."
- >"Just be sure to let me know if you survive it!"
- >She trots off sniggering to yourself but isn't a little good cheer in order? It would be nice if, in time,
- you could look back and crack jokes on that hectic period
- >With such warm thoughts in mind you go back to your work
- >You finish at the usual time, having made good progress on the problem of creating more efficient
- gear processes for various engines
- >Twilight stays on, continuing her research as you've come to expect but she doesn't mind you working
- more regular hours
- >Exiting the library you plan out the route in your mind already having a certain boutique marked
- down for special consideration
- >Walking up to the Carousel Boutique is always strange. While there are colourful buildings aplenty in
- Ponyville, few are quite so... imaginative as this little shop. Not that you don't like it, of course
- >You don't knock, you don't need to, Rarity would still be open at this time. So you just stride on
- through, a soft bell tinkling overhead as the door opens
- >"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! Where everything is chic, unique and- darling! So good to see
- you!"
- >Her face positively lights up upon setting eyes on you. The measuring tape she'd been carrying over
- her neck is levitated off to a table and she lowers her glasses slightly, peering over them at you
- >"Oh do please tell me you're not here on business. I've received a horridly large order from
- Trottingham and have been swamped all day!"
- >Where before that little whine might have been like a knife through your ears you suppress a laugh at
- it. Had you really been so taken up with avoiding her advances that you never noticed how all the
- world was her stage?
- >"You'll be glad to hear it's not. Actually it's the opposite. I wanted to ask... how do I put this
- delicately..."
- >She advances upon you, now taking the glasses off and setting them down beside the tape. Stopping
- next you she sits
- >"Please, darling, I may look the simpering maiden but I assure you I'm made of sterner stuff."
- >And there's the feistiness... or is that more of her acting?
- >"Alright. Well. Okay. Would you... no, are you... doing anything this Saturday?"
- >She casts her gaze skyward for a moment, humming tunelessly
- >"This Saturday? I suppose I shall try to get through as many of these orders as I can. Why do you-"
- >And then, moving her eyes back down, she sees your smile. Oh yes, she has to realise what it is now
- >"You... You don't mean-"
- >Your smile widens as you nod. Why does this feel so good?
- >"Oh darling, I should simply love to!"
- >She jumps up and runs off into the backroom, with you following slower behind, curious to see what
- she's up to
- >"I'll have to find just the perfect outfit to wear! No, green is definitely -not- my colour. Ugh, red and
- white? Was -was- I thinking... Hmm, maybe if I re-cut the hem of this a little higher... oh, forget it, I'll
- just have to make something new!
- >She wheels about suddenly, facing you with an all too large grin
- >"Don't worry, Anon, I'll be sure to sport something suitably fabulous when you take me out on the
- town! Oh! Maybe a little blue to accent my eyes... gold trim to go with my mane..."
- >"I'll leave you to get started, then."
- >"Hmm? Oh yes, yes."
- >Yes, she's into the 'zone' as she likes to call it. No doubt she picked that little nugget up from Dash.
- Ah, Dash, you still have to meet her for drinks
- >You make your departure, closing the door gently behind you and-
- >Was that a peal of excited laughter? Nah, you'll just have to let her have her fun
- >"Hey, dude, where've you been? I almost got started without you!"
- >Judging by the half empty glass of beer next her hoof it looks like she already did
- >"Sorry, had to... take care of some business."
- >"Oooh, what's this? Business? Of the, uh, romantic kind?"
- >It'd be wonderful if your cheeks could cool down. Honestly, you're not some schoolkid to be getting
- worked up over a crush
- >"Hahaha! You look like one of Fluttershy's beets! Aw, dude, Anon, you've got to tell me who it is!"
- >Crap. Looks like you're just going to have to deal with this now and hope it doesn't go out of control.
- And by it you really mean Dash
- >"Alright, I'll tell you but you've really gotta stay calm about this."
- >Dash hops off the barstool and trots up to you
- >"Oh now this I've gotta hear! What, is it Pinkie Pie?"
- >More laughter. She really isn't making this easy
- >"No, it's not."
- >"Oh! Oh! Is-Is it Twilight?!"
- >She's on the floor now, clutching her sides. Fine, if that's the way she wants to play then you won't
- pull any punches either
- >"It's Rarity."
- >She stops instantly looking at you. You think she might be about to resume her laughter when she sees
- how serious you are
- >"Dude... c'mon, don't joke about that."
- >"It's not a joke, Dash."
- >A couple of emotions flash on her face - anger, disgust, confusion, some amusement but mostly anger.
- Oh boy does she look pissed
- >"So... so that's it? After all you've put up with you're just going to turn around and give her what she
- wants?"
- >Standing as tall as she can on her legs, wings flared out - it's the classic pegasi aggressive stance
- >"All we went through, all of that was for nothing?!"
- >"Dash! She apologised, she's changed."
- >In response, your friend just stomps her forehooves, snorting. She glares at you for a moment longer
- before deflating
- >"Fine. It's not like there's any other pony in Equestria that might actually care about you."
- >Patrons from around the bar have who had been gawking are now going back to their drinks and
- hushed talk. Still, you had hoped this might have gone off without Dash getting quite so upset
- >"Look, can we just enjoy a few drinks? I want to get done early, gotta prepare for tomorrow."
- >Dash ruffles out her feathers and settles her wings by her sides. She continues to stare at you for a
- moment more before snorting and walking back to her barstool
- >"Yeah, well... don't think I'll go easy on you. I remember that tackle you gave in the last match."
- >Seems she's as eager to forget about that little outburst as you are. But this is one slight you can't
- allow pass against your good name
- >"That tackle was legal and you know it! I have to find some way to make up for the lack of wings."
- >"Pfft, whatever dude."
- >You order a beer and sit down next to her
- >The next hour passes in increasingly comradely cheer, the previous unpleasentness thankfully put
- aside. You still wonder if you're going to really have to deal with the reality of this later but make a best
- effort to enjoy tonight
- >"Okay, so we're starting off with lunch at Top Cream, scope out the ponies at the fountain later, get a
- few games of hoofball in and finish off with drinks, right?"
- >"Right."
- >Wrong. You have a date with Rarity, so there won't -be- time for those drinks. But you're loathe to
- bring that back up
- >"Oh, actually... I'm gonna have to pass on the drinks."
- >"Oh what, you're goin' soft on me?"
- >She sniggers into her glass before taking a drink from it
- >"No, it's just... I forgot I've got plans."
- >Dash puts the glass down just a little too had for your tastes
- >"Plans? What kind of 'plans'?"
- >"I'm just going to... help Twilight on some extra research that's taking up her time."
- >Goddamn are you a terrible liar. Dash might know you enjoy working for Twilight but even you value
- your weekends too much to actually take on more than you need
- >"Look man, either come clean with me or just don't bother at all. I don't want to deal with this."
- >Alright. This is going to have to come out eventually. Just... lay your cards out
- >"Fine then. I've got a date with Rarity tomorrow night."
- >Dash just looks at you, eyes utterly unwavering before she finally turns back to her glass, takes a long,
- long draught and slams it down so hard you're surprised there aren't cracks running through it
- >"Okay. I'll meet you at your house tomorrow morning, we've got to have a talk."
- >"Look, Dash, it it's going to be about-"
- >"It's not about Rarity, okay? It's about us."
- >Okay, this is a little odd. Is she really going to end this friendship just because you happen to want to
- give Rarity a chance?
- >She doesn't give you time to ask before she storms off out the door, leaving you confused and far too
- sober to deal with this
- >Unfourtunatly your sleep that night was not as restful as the one before. In fact you'd been waking up
- periodically, only for your mind to immediately turn to thoughts of Dash. Which wouldn't be so bad
- only this is something you'd long, long ago put to bed. You can't let it creep back in, not now, not with
- the way things are
- >So you're sitting over a bowel of oatmeal wondering why in the hell you'd make something so bland
- when you realise, in a moment of stunning clarity, you're far too tired to do anything more than make it
- and just stare at it
- >Which you would continue to do if there wasn't a knock at the door. A knock you'd spent the night
- waiting for
- >You open it to the sight you'd been dreading. The spunky blue pegasus looking up at you with eyes
- just as tired as your own. Well, no sense in trying to delay -this-, you just invite her on in
- >You sit her down on the couch and sit in a chair opposite. For some time you just look at each other,
- unsure of who should start or even what to say
- >"Okay, we need to get some things out in the open. Before you do this, I gotta tell you-"
- >"I know."
- >Both of you are shocked at that. You at having actually come out and said it, Dash that maybe you
- really do know what the hell is going on. But, in the immortal words of Magnus Magnusson, 'Ive
- started so I'll finish'
- >"Dash, I know, okay? I know all about your blushing, your wings; all about those little glances you've
- stolen when you thought I didn't notice. Oh yeah, I did. I knew all along."
- >Her mouth works soundlessly, opening and shutting before she starts to stutter. Her voice grows
- hoarse and you see moisture pool at her eyes
- >"You... you idiot! Why did you do that to me! Why didn't you say something! Anything! Why did you
- just... just let me suffer!"
- >"It's not that simple, I wasn't ready. I couldn't just admit to myself-"
- >"Oh yeah, sure but now that you can you're not even going to give me a second thought?"
- >"Do you think this is easy for -me-? I've had this shit all stored away and then boom! You've gotta
- bring it up."
- >Dash stands suddenly and throws her forehooves onto the coffe table
- >"So it's my fault?!"
- >"No!"
- >"Then what?!"
- >"I don't know!"
- >And that's when Dash just loses it. You'd seen her cry before but it's never an easy thing to have to
- watch. She's always been the strong one, always there to back you up. It's almost surreal to see
- someone you've come to think of like that having such weakness
- >"So... so that... that's it? I-I-I j-just have to... get over it?"
- >That sensation of knowing you shouldn't do this but wanting to do it anyway comes over you again.
- You'd given your word to Rarity, you can't go back on it. You can, at least, offer Rainbow some comfort
- >Which you do, as you round the table and take her in your arms. You don't offer any words, you just
- hold her close and stroke her mane as her sobs slowly start to die and she dries her eyes on your shirt
- >"I can't tell you what to do, Dash."
- >She looks up to you, to the floor, to the ceiling, to everything in the room except you. She looks back
- >"So... does that mean? Would you... ? If I... ?"
- >You don't say anything, just look into her eyes
- >"If I... wanted you to... to say yes to me. Would you?"
- >"I told you, Rarity-"
- >"Forget about Rarity. She's crazy. I don't care what she told you, she can't control herself. Please,
- Anon, you've got to believe me. Y-You can trust me, you always have."
- >She's got you there. The one pony who's always had your back, who was your first love before you
- were even willing to accept anything like that, is right there in your arms telling you she's felt the same
- way. You really do want to give Rarity that chance but...
- >Would it be so wrong to just... keep your options open?
- >In a heartbeat you know your answer. You gave your word and while you're no Applejack but you also
- know a man is only as good as his word. Rarity is not the type of girl who would appreciate you
- sneaking about behind her back.
- >Besides, you have a great friendship with Dash. While one holding feelings for another can lead to
- problems, acting on them always does. At least if with this now out in the open you can start to build a
- real friendship with her
- >"Dash-"
- >She pulls back from you, wincing. Yes, everyone knows what that tone means
- >"You mean a lot to me, I don't think that needs to be said. But Rarity... she needs someone in her life
- to help straighten her out."
- >"So... you're just doing it out of pity?"
- >Ouch. Why is it always the ones closest to us that know how to twist the knife in deepest
- >"No. Rarity's a looker, I think I can say that now. And she's smart, she's strong in her own way and
- yeah, I admit I like having access to all the lace and leather you can shake a stick at."
- >Dash laughs just a little at that but it doesn't do much to bolster your spirits. If this is to be salvaged
- it's going to take time
- >"Dash, I'll always love you, okay? You'll always be special to me."
- >"Oh Celestia, dude, just can the mushy stuff!"
- >And there she is, your Dash, right back the way you need her. Or at least, getting there
- >"Sure. Listen, I don't think either of us is up to a day out so why don't I walk you back to your home
- and we can both get some rest."
- >"Okay, man. And... sorry..."
- >"None of that. Let's just put this behind us, okay?"
- >"Okay."
- Chapter 3
- >Walking Dash to her home had been... difficult. Setting aside the difficulty in actually reaching it, she
- had been questioning you the entire way there. What was it really about Rarity? Did you just secretly
- have a thing for rapists? Would you go for Applejack? Fluttershy? Roseluck? What if she was to rape
- you, would you turn down Rarity and go for her?
- >That last one had been more than a little disturbing but Dash assured you it was just a bad joke, she
- understood why you liked Rarity. Which was good, because you needed that boost to your confidence
- if you were going to go through with this
- >She still looked down, flying up to her home but that was to be expected, wasn't it? Right, in a few
- days she'd bounce right back
- >Speaking of bouncing, you'd best bounce right on back to your home and get ready for tonight
- >Got to get your best clothes ironed out, pick out a suitable cologne, clean every square inch of your
- body (with the strongest disinfectant you could find, if necessary) and come to terms with the fact that
- you were going out. With a pony. A pretty attractive pony, as ponies go
- >This is it. This is the night. You're walking through the streets of Ponyville turning heads. Well, more
- than you usually do. But tonight you have eyes for only one pony. Nope, not Dash, that's all been laid
- to rest
- >Three knocks at the door of Carousel Boutique and a disturbing series of crashes later you're staring
- at... Rarity?
- >Rarity wearing a black halter top, earrings to match her cutie mark, while her mane... is styled up into
- quite the attractive do
- >She blushes slightly, turning her head away from your gaze
- >"How do I look?"
- >There really is only one word for this
- >"Fabulous."
- >She looks back, smiling wider than you'd ever seen
- >"Well! Shall we then?"
- >You shall
- >"This is the place?"
- >Rarity turns her nose up slightly, glancing at you with an extremely forced grin
- >"It's no Sommeil de Soleil but we're not in Canterlot... yet."
- >She turns suddenly, eyes wide and mouth agape
- >"Sommeil de Soleil? Yet?"
- >You place a hand on her shoulder, which seems to please her greatly, despite the slight shiver it causes
- >"Rarity, I made you a promise. If I see that your intentions are genuine then I would hope we will find
- ourselves there some day."
- >she looks to you then quickly back at the restaurant, her grin no longer looking quite so forced
- >"Well, it's not... that bad really. If they allowed me to redecorate I'm sure I could have it looking
- nothing short of smashing."
- >You chuckle at her unwillingness to let go and lead her into the restaurant proper
- >The meal is as good as you might expect for a high class restaurant in a small town. Rarity, at least,
- seems more taken up with the company she's sharing it with. Every few minutes she steals a little
- glance at you then looks away grinning when you meet it.
- >Conversation starts off lightly, mostly about how the week has gone - you carefully sidestep the
- Rainbow Dash issue - and then settles onto your respective work. If Rarity has grown bored of listening
- to your spiel about engineering she's doing a fine job of pretending not to be
- >Eventually, though, it moves on to more personal topics among them where you grew up. You give
- her the brief rundown, from your days with friends, difficulty at school, to your flourishing in
- university and eventually finding a career
- >Rarity seems somewhat more... reluctant to talk about her own history
- >"I lived in Manehatten for some time before moving to Ponyville with my parents. Honestly, there's
- really not much to tell."
- >She immediately takes a sip from her coffee, closing her eyes in doing so. The sip turns into a long
- draught, or so it looks that way to you
- >"I've heard snippets from the girls about your life in Ponyville but none of them know anything about
- what it was like for you in Manehatten."
- >Rarity's eyes snap open at those words and she gently places the cup back on its saucer. The mood has
- changed, palpably and you desperately wish for some way to take back what you've said
- >"It was... something I don't like to talk about. Please understand, it's not that I don't trust you but..."
- >"You'd rather we became a little more familiar?"
- >She nods wordlessly, a hoof outstretched and toying with the coffee cup. Her head is down, her eyes
- moving about but nowhere that indicates she's looking at you
- >It's a shame, really. Rarity had obviously been anticipating this night - you could only imagine what
- kind of long held dream you were fulfilling by going through with it - and it seemed unfair to sour it
- like this
- >So you reach out and gently place your hand on her hoof
- >She starts at the touch, looking at it then quickly up to you. And she sees you smiling at her, not
- judging or recriminating. A little smile of her own forms in response. It's nice
- >"You know, I can't help but feel I've monopolised your time. I'm sure you'd love to tell me all about
- that order you've had in."
- >Perhaps that wasn't the best idea you've had, as Rarity begins recounting - in almost painful detail -
- every nuance of the various outfits requested by her clients. You manage to pick out a few bits, here
- and there, that sound like they have human analogues as well as more direct ones
- >But it's alright, really. Because you see in her face just how happy this makes her, how passionate she
- can really become. It had been easy to think of fashion as something reserved for the vacuous and those
- perpetually in love with themselves but Rarity showed you another side to it. When she would point out
- how this material wouldn't go with that or how a particular cut had to be used lest the entire garment be
- ruined you could see there was a depth to the craft that could otherwise be easily overlooked
- >And it's probably because of that vacant but happy smile you offer that she suddenly halts, asking
- what it is
- >"Have you ever taken up an old creation and found a new respect for it? Or, seen in new light you
- realise it has a beauty you never saw before?"
- >She blushes lightly, looking away to some terribly fascinating piece of architecture
- >"Sometimes I'll try for hours to get two completely different fabrics to come together properly but it
- just... eludes me and I get so frustrated."
- >"But when you get it right?"
- >She turns back to you, the blush gone but the smile remained
- >"Why, darling, it is the most magnificent thing there is. It makes all that effort worthwhile."
- >You simply look at each other for a few moments more before your waiter returns, enquiring if you'd
- care for dessert
- >"Oh he's already right here in front of me!"
- >Rarity titters cutely at that but suddenly stops, looking intently at you
- >"I'm terribly sorry! Was-was that too much?"
- >"Relax, Rarity, this isn't an exam. I'm not going to give up on you if you make a few bawdy jokes."
- >As you expect, the asnwer pleases her. That said a part of you is glad you were able to force down
- your own blush. The implications of that joke...
- >The rest of your time there went as pleasantly as it began. Rarity happily competed with you for pride
- of place in the discussion of your respective professions but you felt it only right to let her talk over
- you. Might as well indulge her
- >On the walk back to her boutique, however, she surprised you by pointing out how scruffy this set of
- clothing had become and she simply must design a proper outfit for you
- >Of course, she was still somewhat unfamiliar with human fashions and proportions so...
- >Yes, you'd be delighted to call to offer suggestions, would tomorrow during your break be suitable?
- >She'd pratically died. A chance to see you again, so soon! But wasn't it worth it to, yet again, put a
- smile on her face? She had, after all been so very well behaved this evening
- >And that's when you arrived at her doorstep
- >"Ah, well, this is me."
- >"Indeed it is."
- >She looks about at everything but you for a moment, desperately working her muscles to stop smiling
- quite so much. You think it rather cute
- >"Thank you ever so much for this evenin, Anon. It was... well, everything I could have wanted it to
- be!"
- >"Keep going like this and you can look forward to many more."
- >Rarity just giggles, looking down. She looks back up to you much more slowly
- >"May I... may I perhaps trouble you..."
- >Ah and here it is. Such a shame, you'd really started to think she had -actually- changed her tune
- >"... for, ah... a goodnight kiss?"
- >What? That's it? Not going to 'invite you in for coffee' or something more suitably less subtle? She
- really is keeping a tight rein on things. So... yes, why not!
- >Ah but you've taken too long in deciding and she's now started to turn away, no doubt assured she'd
- pressed too hard
- >That's probably why you lean down, put a hand to her cheek and your lips to hers
- >You're not going to pretend this is any less innocent than it is but it has a quality of its own. Her lips
- are as soft as you might have ever expected and she doesn't struggle or push against you for more. She
- just... enjoys it for what it is
- >You're actually a little loathe to pull away. Her cheek feels so right in your hand and that warm
- tingling in your lower abdomen is definitely something you don't want to stop feeling. But all good
- things and all that
- >Rarity flutters her eyelids as you right yourself
- >"W-Well, that was..."
- >"Nice. Very nice."
- >"Yes. Good night, Anon."
- >And with just one more backwards look to you, she's in with the door closed
- >You allow that smile from earlier to grace your lips
- >"Good night, Miss Rarity."
- >Yes it was
- >You're coming up to your home with something of a spring in your step when you spy a silhouette.
- Christ, you should have known Flutters would have to stop by and ruin the... night... for... you...
- >Fluttershy doesn't have a blue coat or rainbow coloured mane and tail. Something about this just isn't
- right at all.
- >"Hey dude, so how'd your date go?"
- >And that tone is entirely far too light for that kind of question
- >Looks like you might not get any sleep tonight. Again
- >Considering what just happened that morning Dash really shouldn't be smiling quite so widely as
- she's doing. Then again, it doesn't look all that genuine
- >"Didn't stay over and do the dirty, huh? Afraid she was gonna take it too far?"
- >And now there comes an edge creeping into her voice. She's down on her haunches, hoof in the air
- >"Yannow you could always invite me in, it doesn't even have to be anything serious, just a little fun,
- huh?"
- >"Dash-"
- >"Or am I 'not your type'? Is your type only the crazy rapist who just talks about all the ways she could
- win you over!
- >Down comes the hoof as well as her eyebrows
- >"How do ya know this isn't one of her tricks?"
- >It's too late for this. You're tired, you've had a good evening and you really would like to go to bed,
- seeing as you actually do have to help Twilight out tomorrow. Nothing too hectic but you'd promised to
- assist, with the promise of some extra pay
- >"I don't. But that's what giving her a chance means."
- >"Oh but you won't give me a chance?"
- >You both stop there but Dash is the one to sigh first
- >"Look, dude, I'm sorry, okay? This is... it's hard."
- >You know it is and you're not going to pretend you know exactly what she's feeling but at the same
- time this doesn't have to be the way it ends
- >"Sure. I'll just go and... leave you..."
- >You don't get a chance to respond before she's taken to the air
- >You hope - really hope - that this is really the start of the problems being ironed out but a part of you
- knows it can't be that simple. You're going to have Dash upset like this and you're just going to have to
- take it and hope that she'll see sense eventually
- >Inside you head for the kitchen again and curse under your breath at forgetting to restock the brandy.
- You had also wanted to give -that- up but current events were conspiring to see you back on that track
- >You barely get your clothes off before you throw yourself into bed, events from the previous night and
- today finally catching up on you as you immediately fall into a deep sleep
- >Morning is a little better than the last - a heartier breakfast instead of morose contemplation and badly
- prepared oatmeal. After all, you still have that meeting with Rarity to look forward to. Even if Dash's
- words still sit at the back of your mind
- >At the library Twilight seems eager to ask about last night - you can see by the way she constantly
- looks up from her books or sets down her apparatus, about to say something but suddenly turning back
- to it
- >She doesn't openly pry and you don't really feel like talking about it right now. You're just glad Spike
- has stayed out of your hair, as that's another conversation you dread having to have, as inevitable as it
- may be
- >Twilight's looking back at you again when you ask if she'd mind you taking your break. Truth be told
- it's a little earlier than you'd normally take it and the smile she wears makes it clear she suspects why
- you're doing so. Again, you don't divulge any details
- >You'd never imagined that walking to the Carousel Boutique could fill you with such... not exactly joy
- but definitely more peace than it had before
- >As you approach the building you're almost sure you can hear voices
- >"... gonna tell 'im about all'a those things?"
- >"How could you even suggest something like that? I've told you I've changed - I'm not like... that any
- more."
- >"Sure, Rar', whatever you say."
- >There's another of those voices you recognise. The lazy southern drawl and smug tone tell you all you
- need to know about who it is. What's a little more cryptic is just what they're talking about
- >"All I'm sayin' is how d'ya know he ain't the type that'd like, ahem, Madame Rarity?"
- >Thinking the better of continuing the listen in you push open the door and step inside to see a grinning
- Applejack and incredibly chagrined looking Rarity
- >"Well lookee, if it ain't the man o' the hour. We was just havin' ourselves a talk about-"
- >"Nothing! Noting at all important! Certainly nothing that involves this gentlecolt!"
- >Applejack saunters over to her, knocking her side with a foreleg and widening her grin. Rarity just
- tries to look like there's nothing happening
- >"Aww, c'mon Rar', don't'cha think he aughta know all about what yer gonna do to him?"
- >"Applejack! What did I tell you?"
- >But you can see shame and anger warring over her face, with shame winning out easily as her cheeks
- darken noticeably
- >Applejack, sniggering, rolls onto her back and holds her hind legs apart, grunting and undulating her
- body
- >"Oh! Oh, Mr Anon, spank mah flanks and call me yer naughty little pony-y-y bahahaha!"
- >The farce quickly breaks down as she rolls to her side, laughter overcoming her
- >The expression on Rarity's face changes, anger now winning over but still obviously flustered
- >That is, before her own grin starts to form
- >"And shall we tell him of what you wanted him to do with your Golden Delicious'? Ah, perhaps we
- can discuss those 'special' apple fritters you were going to bake."
- >Applejack halts suddenly, looking up to her friend with wide eyes. Pushing herself to her hooves she
- looks at you, to Rarity and then to one of the windows, her own face darkening
- >Well this has been productive. As much as you're going to catch flack for it later, you decide to solve
- this yourself
- >"Applejack, I think I left my laundry out this morning, would you mind taking it in for me? My house
- should be unlocked."
- >Now that certainly got her attention. Clearly by the way she springs to your side she understands what
- kind of opportunity this presents to her and, nodding, she quickly sets off, stopping to look back once
- >"I'll be sure to fix errythin' up for ya, sugarcube. You have fun with -snerk- Madame Rarity, now."
- >She's off, laughter trailing behind her. Rarity however, still looks rather put out and you can't blame
- her. If she's making the effort to change then having her past brought up can't be easy
- >"You know, I-"
- >"It's alright."
- >She stops trailing her hoof around the floor and looks up to you, the tears that had obviously been
- forming at the corners of her eyes now drying up
- >"It's just... you know... even a lady has her... fantasies..."
- >Rarity's been embarrassed enough so, perhaps, you can bring yourself down just a little, if it's enough
- to set her right
- >Leaning down you place a hand on her shoulder. She looks to it then back to you. A hoof rises and
- rubs at her eyes, a little sniffle follows
- >"Why don't you go on into the living room and I'll make us some tea. There's something I want to tell
- you I think will make you feel a little better."
- >Rarity nods and does so, walking off slowly to the back part of the shop. You can already picture her
- reclined on the chaise lounge, a hoof at her forehead and wearing a stricken look. Even her melodrama
- had its own charm
- >The kitchen is, as you expected, immaculate and well stocked. Naturally, the fridge lacks the variety
- of cold meats you might like but you'd long since accepted the facts of living in a society of herbivores
- >You have to wonder, though, at the various implements kept. Surely Rarity wasn't a dab hand at
- cookery too? The day might come when you would get to see but for now you had to find a suitable tea
- >A lady of her refinement, you knew, would be sure to keep a variety. The names were different but it
- was easy to identify Earth analogues and only moments then until you found something close enough
- to Assam to do. Now, just to find the spices...
- >Another reason to be thankful she keeps so much. With the milk set to heat you call into her
- >"You know, you're not the only one with fantasies."
- >There's a pause and what sounds like Rarity shifting
- >"I should suppose not."
- >Evidently you're going to have to be a little more direct if you're to pull her out of this slump
- >"You suppose correctly. In fact, just last night I had a rather vivid one myself. While sleeping."
- >Another pause, though longer this time, more sounds of shifting. Yes, you've got her attention
- >The milk's heating nicely, you stir it absently, casting your mind back to the dream. And the result you
- woke up to
- >"It's been three long years here and in all that time I'd... kept certain thoughts under wraps. But last
- night, I had a dream about a lady."
- >Even over the gentle scraping of the spoon against the pot you hear her shift once again
- >"What was she like?"
- >A smile creases your lips as you allow yourself to become mesmerised by the swirling liquid
- >"Oh she was quite beautiful. A coat as white as snow, mane like an emperor's robe and eyes like the
- bluest moon. And she had joined me at my home, after we'd spent the evening together, just enjoying
- each other's company."
- >The mixture's heating nicely, the scents of anise and ginger rising to tempt you. You dearly hope she
- finds it as comforting as you do
- >"Did she... did she retire to join you, after?"
- >"Oh yes. We had quite the time she and I."
- >Oh no. You hadn't quite meant to let that little nugget slip out. Dance around it, suggest it and perhaps
- even hint at it but certainly you didn't feel bold enough - and didn't want to encourage her bad behavior
- - to more directly mention it
- >In your thoughtlessness - or rather, becoming lost in your thoughts - you almost let the tea boil too
- much, before taking it up and straining it into two cups
- >"So you mean... ?"
- >The tone is light and airy, filled with the kind of cheer you wanted to hear
- >"Yes."
- >"That dream, it was about me, wasn't it."
- >"Yes!"
- >A pause
- >"We were-"
- >"YES!"
- >Ah, boiling this mixture you just remember you need to pick up spaghetti later on. Perhaps it's just as
- well you'd run out before now...
- >Entering the living room you see that, yes, Rarity is indeed reclined on her chaise lounge but instead
- of looking as upset as she had been she's got a foreleg pressed to her mouth, very badly hiding some
- furious giggling
- >"So you see, Miss Rarity, a lady may have her fantasies but her mind will never be as perverse as a
- man's."
- >She levitates the cup out of your hand and over to herself. She looks down into the brown mixture
- turning back up to you
- >"Thank you, darling. And don't worry, I shan't go spilling your secret to anyp0ny. Even if that blush is
- -most- becoming!"
- >Now feeling suitably embarrassed you sit down on the seat closest to her. And watch as she levitates
- the cup to her nose, eyes half closing as she breathes in the scent. They pop open, looking over to you
- suddenly
- >"What is this? It smells simply divine!"
- >It might be that you can have just a little more fun with her. No harm in that, after all
- >"It's a type of tea we call masala chai. I discovered it many years ago when I was traveling through
- the Indian subcontinent, searching for the lost tomb of Pradish Khan..."
- >"Honestly, Anon, I know Rainbow Dash is fond of her tall tales-"
- >Ouch. There's a name you could have done without hearing
- >"-but this is simply too much!"
- >That laughter, however, is something you do like to hear. The whole thing had been made up as you
- went along, spiraling out of control around about the time the Princess Kamiyam had her hundred
- personal guards chase you and your companion from her palace
- >"Mmm, but those silk robes did sound positively marvelous. Which reminds me, didn't your coming
- here have another purpose? Beyond just brightening up my day?"
- >Brightening up your own day, perhaps. But she's right, and you had to admit that you couldn't
- continue to take Rarity out wearing the shabby outfit you'd kept for formal occasions. Though where to
- begin in explaining the basics of human fashion...
- >You'd need a proper suit, to start with, with more presentable clothing for casual wear. If you were
- going to be seen with her you may as well match her own flair for the tastefully elegant
- >"I've got a few ideas I can run past you, if you don't mind."
- >She titters softly, in the way that doesn't feel insidious any more
- >"But of course, you would be more familiar with human fashion than I am."
- >Rising with her, you proceed back out into the shop front and through that into the workroom at the
- back
- >Every inch of the room contains bolts of fabrics, equipment, ponyquins and clothing in varying stages
- of completion. A familiar blue and gold number sits prominently though it looks different, the cut a
- little higher with ruffles drawn about the neck and legs
- >"Now, darling, I shall need to take your measurements."
- >Rarity dutifully levitates a pen, pad and measuring tape to herself before turning back to you with a
- smirk. Oh yes, she was sure to enjoy this
- >"You've made clothes for me before, is it really necessary?"
- >The items drop suddenly, the mare pulling back into a gasp, the red glasses she now wears almost
- falling from her nose
- >"Why of course it is! It's been so long that the shape of your body is sure to have changed enough that
- anything I make would sit horridly upon your broad shoulders and... slim waist..."
- >And of course she couldn't neglect to get a little comment in
- >"Don't worry, I remember the body shyness you humans have, I shan't ask you to undress fully. Not
- that I would... object, if you were to do so."
- >Chuckling softly to yourself you walk behind one of the screens she keeps and proceed to undress
- down to your underwear
- >"I'm afraid I haven't much experience designing for colts, darling, I do hope you won't mind sharing
- your own knowledge on the subject with me!"
- >"And I'm sure you'd like nothing more."
- >Soft tittering, the sound of a magical aura lifting items
- >Undressed, you step out to a Rarity who takes a quick look at you before glancing off
- >"My! I always scoffed at all those frivolous games you'd play with that Rainbow Dash but the
- exercise has been very kind to your physique."
- >You suppose it had. Life in Equestria did not lend the same conveniences the human world did, with
- far more manual labour required for tasks normally automated or assisted on Earth. Not to mention
- how much you had enjoyed taking to sports with your new friend
- >"Now, stand straight please!"
- >Rarity proceeds to press the measuring tape against you, one end on your side as it extends around
- your midriff. From there she moves further up to the chest, shoulders and arms ("Be sure to keep them
- nice and straight, now! I simply cannot permit slouching!"), pausing briefly when she moves down
- >"I know what you must think but... please bear in mind this is my job, and I treat it with the
- seriousness and professionalism it deserves."
- >You nod down and she runs the tape up your leg, pausing briefly to giggle at how you shiver at the
- sensation
- >"I'm a professional, darling but even I know when and how to break the tension."
- >She's a little more reserved taking your inseam, either concentrating on what she's doing or very much
- not trying not to think about where her hooves are wandering
- >"Finished!", she calls out in a sing-song tone
- >You walk off behind the screen and redress yourself, coming around to see her already with charcoal
- at the ready, sketching up a few... interesting designs upon paper
- >"You know, what I wear -is- closer to the pants you sometimes see stallions wearing than any of your
- skirts."
- >She blushes slightly, setting down the charcoal
- >"My apologies, force of habit, you know how it is."
- >You do
- >"Well, if I'm to be seen with you at formal dinners and events, first off I'm going to need a suit - a
- proper suit - with some more presentable casual clothing. A good jacket and pants to suit. Oh! And new
- shoes. Can't believe I've been wearing these glorified moccasins you made for so long..."
- >"Oh of course, it wouldn't do do have you going about in those... rags. Now, I shall need to know how
- different your own idea of a suit is from mine."
- >And so you set about describing, as best you can with your knowledge, the various cuts used for suits.
- Single-breasted, of course, you're far from your father's age; wool would be preferable with the lining
- her own choice - you don't want to dictate too greatly over her experience - but keep the colouration
- formal and subdued.
- >Notched lapel, this isn't a suit for black tie; something more formal can be done later when the
- occasion calls for it.
- >"My, this doesn't sound that different from the current trends. 'Twould seem tasteful clothing is a
- universal desire!"
- >Yes, that may be. Pants should match the jacket and kept to a suitable length. Oh! And a waistcoat! If
- you're to be seen with a lady of her stature within society you can't go about looking like a glorified
- churl with airs about himself
- >"A... waistcoat?"
- >"Yes, it's a sleeveless garment worn over the shirt. Went out of style for quite some time but it's come
- back and I'm quite fond of them, if I'm to be honest."
- >"Ah! A plastron! Oh yes, of course you should have one! They've become quite vogue in Canterlot
- you know, all those stiff upper lips finally thought a little casualness was warranted."
- >"Funny, that was much the same reason it was developed by us."
- >"Really? Oh do tell!"
- >And so the conversation swings its way to the evolution of fashion trends, something you didn't
- realise you had some knowledge of
- >"Really, I know more about history than fashion."
- >Rarity pulls back from the drawings she'd been idly working on throughout the conversation
- >"Oh but darling, the study of history -is- the study of fashion! Don't you know that it is, by it's nature,
- cyclical? One must be mindful of what has gone before in case it should become vogue once more, or
- might be altered to bring a new age flair to an old world classic! Your Charles the second must have
- been a visionary of his time to know the style would last so long."
- >"You might say that... But he wouldn't have been the first to take influence from the East."
- >"Hmm?"
- >"Another great man from our history, Alexander the third of Macedon adopted the Persian style
- among himself and his men. He did suffer ridicule among his compatriots for seeming to have gone
- soft..."
- >"How uncouth! If these styles from the Eastern parts of you world are as magnificently indulgent as
- they sound then -I- would not permit such calumnies against their obvious superiority!"
- >"But they had their own cultural styles ingrained and adopting the Persians was seen as supporting
- them as it was softening of their culture!"
- >Rarity drops the charcoal again, turning to you with a serious set to her brow
- >"And what would a little softening have done except to introduce some variance among their stale
- ideas!"
- >You can't help but smile at her and her frown deepens, asking just why are you smiling at her like that,
- do you think it's permissible to smirk at a lady!
- >"No, no! It's just... you really don't have any problem airing your own ideas."
- >Of course I shouldn't! One lives or dies in fashion by how willing they are to be honest about their
- creations."
- >"So! That's the suit all ironed out and I'm sure I've got a good enough idea for that tasteful jacket and
- trouser combination you also wanted. Now for those shoes."
- >You set about describing, in excruciating detail, how to shape some Oxford shoes and a pair more in
- keeping with the jacket, trouser combo as well as a pair for more every day wear
- >"And one last thing, if you wouldn't mind not putting too many gems in-"
- >If she looks any more horrified you're likely to start thinking you're so eldritch horror, come to terrify
- her
- >"But Anon, one must be made to shine like the sun if one wishes to stand out!"
- >"And you can put gems in but mens clothing, at least where I'm from, is more conservative than that.
- Just... please remember not too much? I'll let you decide for yourself what's appropriate."
- >With a huff she picks the charcoal up once more and starts working on designs for the shoes
- >"Very well... Now if you'll excuse me I've much work to do."
- >You don't go though, there is still one little matter left unattended to
- >"Rarity, I... I'm afraid it's going to take me some time to pay for all this."
- >"Nonsense! I wouldn't dream of accepting any recompense for creating this! Why it could open up all
- sorts of opportunities if I'm to expand my catalog into the male fashion world. I could make an even
- bigger name for myself!"
- >The stars in her eyes are too bright for you to think of popping her idle dreams
- >"Well I can't just let you make all this without offering something! How about I take you out again
- next week and don't worry - I'll be sure to find something more appropriate for us."
- >The lady leaps from her work and embraces you suddenly, something you don't have time to think of
- a response to save hold her yourself
- >"Oh darling that would be marvelous! I'll be sure to have our new outfits done so we may be the talk
- of the town!"
- >You depart shortly thereafter, satisfied with all you'd done but unsatisfied with how late you're going
- to be!
- >The library is unusually quiet when you arrive there. Twilight, however, is waiting with a grin for you.
- Better than waiting, ready to tear into you for being late
- >"You took your time. Have fun with Rarity taking your, ahem, measurements?", even you admit to
- yourself that little giggle is cute
- >"And when did you become master of innuendo?"
- >Her face flushes and you see her push a book back with a hind leg, one you're quite sure you see
- 'Mastering Innuendo' on the spine of
- >"I'm just... sharpening my wit! All this reading sure is paying off!"
- >You're about to share a laugh in her shenanigans when heavy stomping approaches from the kitchen
- >"I'm finished doing the dishes, Twi, is it okay if I go see Rarity?"
- >Wow, the little guy sounds pissed. As if his harsh tone wasn't enough he's actually glared up at you on
- Rarity's name
- >"Sure, Spike, just be sure to get back before it's dark."
- >But he doesn't leave immediately, instead he turns to face you, arms crossed and brow set
- >"And you! You better stay away from my girl!"
- >You throw your hands up in mock defeat, a gesture Spike doesn't appear to appreciate as his claws fly
- to his sides, clenched into fists
- >"Whoah, I'm not trying to muscle in on anyone's territory!"
- >With much grumbling the young dragon storms off, though you're almost certain you hear a few
- choice oaths followed by your name
- >Twilight offers you a sympathetic, if long suffering, glance
- >"Don't worry about him, I'm sure he'll get over it."
- >Twilight's thankfully not otherwise upset at your tardiness. The research wasn't as difficult as she'd
- thought and most had been completed by the time you'd arrived back. In fact, you were allowed to quit
- a little earlier than usual today, something you were glad for as the weather was scheduled to be good
- for the rest of the evening
- >You're a little dismayed to find Dash isn't around any of her usual hangouts and especially down when
- she doesn't turn up for the bi-weekly hoofball tournament. Many's the time it would serve as the
- highlight to that week, a chance to forget about your situation without the hammer subtlety of alcohol
- >Which serves to remind you to pick up a bottle of brandy on the way home. If you don't have your bro
- you'll at least still have a way to drown your sorrows
- >In fact, for the next three days you don't run into Dash once. Not only that but your mornings change.
- The first, you don't notice right away before it hits you: you haven't received the weather schedule.
- >Every morning Dash would drop it by your home as a little courtesy. So now she's avoiding you and
- going so far as to even avoid your home at times when you wouldn't be around to intercept her. The
- thought of actually losing her had started to dampen the lift your spirits had been given after that
- afternoon with Rarity
- >Rarity. At least you still had your... well, you suppose you could call it a date, with her this weekend
- to look forward to.
- >Yes, things had certainly begun to turn around for her. She'd been behaving herself and it showed in
- her demeanor too. Where before any advances would always hold that little bit of strain to them - to the
- point where even meeting with you outside those circumstances added a ring of awkwardness - she
- seemed much more comfortable around you. And you her. It was helping to add a feeling of normalcy
- to your life
- >Still, you're not going to allow everything to be ruined. That's why today you decide, with the weather
- staying good, to head back out to the lake. The peace should bring with it the need to just wallow in
- self-pity over Dash but you're oddly content. Perhaps it's the memories of what happened here last
- week...
- >"I thought I might find you out here!"
- >You know that affected Manehattenite accent all too well. In fact, you'd come to enjoy it's tones
- recently
- >"In fact, I've noticed you have a habit of coming out here. Any particular reason?"
- >You turn and see that Rarity is already seated next to you, the sunlight from the lake playing over her
- features beautifully once more
- >"Just nice to get away from the bustle; enjoy the world's natural beauties."
- >She turns and sees you looking at her and you both turn aside, hoping her own cheeks are as flushed
- as your own
- >"I suppose you wouldn't care for company, in that case."
- >"As long as it's suitable company I'm all for it."
- >Yes, you hear her shuffling and then feel her presence as she sits close beside you. You don't want to
- let her see you smile you really don't but you just can't suppress it. Her charm was exactly what you
- needed right now to help bring you out of the slump
- >"You haven't called to see me this week, Anon. Is everything alright?"
- >No
- >"Yes, of course it is."
- >"It's just that I haven't seen you with Rainbow Dash since the weekend and I know how much you
- enjoy her company."
- >Ostensibly, it sounds innocent enough but could Rarity be implying something more? She could
- hardly be... jealous, could she?
- >"We... had a bit of a falling out."
- >"Oh? I do hope I wasn't the cause of it."
- >"How did ya guess?"
- >Oh bugger, that raspy voice was another one so familiar to you. This was exactly what you had hoped
- to avoid, at least for a long, long time
- >Your mind speeds through certain thoughts: at least Dash is here and can talk to you. Rarity is also
- here, this is bad. Is Dash going to screw things up for you? Was she just starting to feel better and now
- this is going to throw her for a loop? Is this going to bother Rarity, with whatever she had meant with
- that comment about Dash?
- >"Rainbow Dash, how lovely of you to join us! Anon here was just telling me you two had a little tiff
- but now you're here I'm sure you two can work things out smashingly!
- >Rainbow steps forward from your side, opposite the one Rarity is on. You can't help but feel like the
- proverbial lamb between two wolves, the thought of just sinking into the ground right now quite a nice
- one
- >"Oh so he's talkin' to you about me? Is that right, Anon?"
- >There's been few times in the past when Dash had glared at you - really given you the evil eye - and it
- had never felt good. Moreso because you considered her such a close friend than anything else
- >"Rarity was just asking why she hadn't seen us together-"
- >"I thought we had that worked out."
- >"That's not what I meant and you know it!"
- >Rarity looks between the two of you at this exchange and, glancing over to her, you see confusion
- mixed with worry play across her features
- >"Sh-should I leave?"
- >"No."
- >"Yes!"
- >Dash glares at you again, this time you return it
- >"Is there a problem we need to talk about?"
- >"Are you bucking kidding me? you don't see what it is?"
- >"Well if it's so obvious why don't you spell it out!"
- >"I don't need to when it's sitting right next to you!"
- >Ouch. That fucking hurt. There was a time when you might have even agreed with that summation but
- now you see just what kind of effect it has on the lady
- >She stands and, giving a teary glance to her friend and then you turns away
- >"I... I think I'd better leave you two..."
- >"Rarity, wait!"
- >But she doesn't stop as the light trot turns into a full gallop, the last thing you see, her tail as it rounds
- a building in the distance and is lost
- >Turning back to your interlocuter you give her the harshest look you can muster
- >"What the fuck was that, Dash?!"
- >"Aww, don't buckin' play dumb again! I can't believe what you're doing!"
- >You stand and take a few paces off from her, hoping to work out some of the excited energy you now
- find yourself filled with. The idea of taking your fists to the tree seems tempting, were it not such an
- odd thought
- >"Christ, just tell me what I'm doing wrong here!"
- >"Why was -she- here?!"
- >And with that one little question she completely disarms you. It's just so... self-evident. And yet you
- know, of course you know, there's much more to it than that. The implication behind if is clear: Rarity
- shouldn't be here - with you
- >"You wanna give me a reason why?"
- >Now Dash throws her hooves up before taking to the air, flitting about you
- >"Oh I dunno, maybe because this is our spot? Maybe because it's something -we- do? It's something I
- kinda look forward to doing with you because it lets me get close to you?"
- >Oh Christ... she's tearing up. She's just stopped flying about and has now started settling down in front
- of you, looking up with all the fire in her eyes gone and just the plaintive look you'd seen days before
- >"You know? I-It's not like I might have liked just being able to... to sit out here with you and pretend
- we..."
- >She chokes, her wings flapping out but falling uselessly to her sides as she raises a hoof to rub harshly
- over her eyes
- >"... I dunno, pretend we had something. But now... now -she's- here you're... you're ruining that!"
- >Your anger flares up suddenly but it subsides just as quick. You'd been missing Dash these past few
- days and now here was your chance to talk to her. That day had ended on an edge, you had to put an
- end to this or both relationships wold be lost
- >"Dash, you know it can't be."
- >She looks up to you, cheeks moist and eyes red and suddenly lunges at you, throwing her forelegs
- over your shoulders and throwing you onto your backside. You'd never seen her break down like this
- until recently and the reflex isn't something you've developed but you still bring your arms up to
- complete the embrace
- >"But... but can't I just pretend? Can't you... you even give me that?"
- >You hate to hear her cry, hate to hear her sob and choke. It chews you up in a way you never knew it
- could. You want her to stop, you want all of this to just go away but the only way to do that would be to
- give up what you've just discovered with Rarity. Starting anything with Dash would just have too much
- history to it, besides all that
- >"Dash... please don't do this. Please. I love you, I'll always love you but you have to accept-"
- >She buries her muzzle in against your chest, sobs shaking her body. You feel her forelegs clutch you
- tighter. It hurts, yes it does but it's either hurt now or just draw the pain out
- >"You have to accept that I can't give you what you want. I'm sorry."
- >It's not enough. It could never be enough. So the only thing you can do is hold her in your arms as she
- cries herself out. Stroke her mane but stay silent, any comforting words being lost to what you've just
- said
- >The sun is close to the horizon by the time she's stopped. Her tears have stopped and her breathing has
- steadied but there's still the odd little sob now and then. Three years. Three years and you could have
- just nipped this in the bud. Your cowardice, that's all this is because of. Because you were afraid to
- admit you could love a pony
- >But now? Now you knew you wanted to continue giving Rarity that chance. You wanted to see where
- it could lead and had the highest hopes it could blossom into something beautiful.
- >But would it be worth it if you had to sacrifice not only this friendship but crush Dash's hopes?
- >"Dash?"
- >A groan, she stirs against you. Her chest hitches and she pushes in against you once more. You sigh,
- knowing this has to end sometimes tonight.
- >"Dash, c'mon, it's alright."
- >She pushes off from you slowly and... wow. Her eyes are even redder than before and her cheeks are
- still damp. Her face is practically a picture of misery as her mouth is drawn down into a deep frown
- >You can almost feel the life being sucked out of you just looking at her. This isn't the Rainbow Dash
- you know and love but then, that -was- your fault wasn't it?
- >"C'mon, I'll take you home."
- >You had to practically - no strike that -actually- - carry Dash over your shoulder, to the point just
- beneath her cloud home. She'd finally settled down enough that she wasn't sobbing any more, you now
- just hoped she hadn't fallen asleep
- >"Dash? We're gonna have to part for tonight. But you come see me first thing tomorr-"
- >"No... I don' wanna go home..."
- >You stifle a sigh. If she wanted to play the sulking child there wasn't really much you could do
- >"I wanna... wanna go home with you..."
- >Yeah, and think of the problems that'd cause. If the situation weren't quite so delicate you might have
- allowed her but you had to finish this now
- >"You can't. I'm sorry."
- >You search for other words but it all just seems so empty, so vapid. You even regret what you just said
- and especially the clipped tone you used. But Dash takes the lead at last
- >She just leaps from your grasp, into the air and is gone up to her home without a backwards glance
- >You stay for a moment longer, knowing you can't see if she's inside safely, through the cloud but
- unable to deny yourself the gesture
- >Back at home you don't even bother to make something to eat. Not now, Jesus not after that evening
- you've just put in
- >The only thing that looks remotely inviting is that bottle of brandy. Taking up a glass alongside it you
- settle down on your couch for the night
- >You're sitting back on your couch with much of the bottle empty. It was good stuff, the expensive
- kind, the kind you knew would do its job well. There was some stupid movie blaring on the TV but you
- weren't watching it, not really.
- >Heavy thumps against the door, you're pretty sure if your head wasn't swimming like this or the world
- wasn't doing cartwheels it'd be easier to get there. But you make if, after only a few curses and
- probably some bruises
- >Open 'er up and there's a buff tan mare staring up at you not looking that pleased. What the hell does
- she want?
- >"You lied t'me about them clothes! I musta spent a good half hour- whooee! Whut in tarnation is that
- smell?"
- >She turns her nose up to you, sniffing. You don't pull back or stop breathing down onto her. Doesn't
- matter
- >"You gone an had yerself a good time, Anon?"
- >That smirk... yeah, maybe you can have a good time alright. Forget about all this bullshit
- >"Not... eugh, not yet. Wanna come in and... heh heh, come?"
- >Seeing that face light up is just what your booze addled mind needs right now. You stand aside,
- leaning back against the door as she pushes on through, grabbing a glass from the kitchen before
- heading straight into the living room
- >Stumbling back into it yourself, you see she's on the couch, sitting beside where you were. You flop
- down, throwing one arm over her and another out to grab your glass
- >"Y'know App... Appa... App-jack, I shoulda... shoulda done thish a long... time ago... IN A
- GALAXY... !"
- >You feel a hoof at your chest before you can finish. Huh, guess she wants to get started early. But it's
- way, way too early for you
- >"You gotta... drink up before!"
- >"Mmm, I like yer thinkin', sugarcube."
- >Oh, so she'd already poured herself a glass? Great minds think alike, you guess. Why is she
- scrunching her face up like that? Is it too strong for her? The Great Applejack?
- >"C'mon... drink!"
- >And boy does she...
- >You've both been at it... you've no idea. At some stage either you or Applejack got your pants undone
- and she's had a hoof jammed in it since. Idiot, maybe if you hadn't drunk so much you'd be up for some
- fun but she seems pretty happy just playing around with it
- >You've also started sharing your own glasses with her. It's only fair, seeing as you got an early start.
- It's not fair that she collapses on the couch a little later, before either of you could forget your worldly
- cares in each other's embrace
- >Pfft, ponies, bunch of lightweights. Can't take their booze, can't take their pain, can't take the
- heartache...
- >No. No! That's why you're drinking... Ah forget it. You've got work tomorrow, might as well drag
- your sorry ass to bed. Applejack can sleep here if she's not even going to have the decency to try.
- >You wake up to blinding pain. Really, it's like Celestia has descended from the heavens and started
- boring her horn into your skull. Or it could be that she made today too bright
- >Just once you wish she'd go out and get hammered, at least then she'd know what it's like to get up on
- a morning like this. At least get her hardass hammered, might loosen her up a little...
- >It's with such delightful thoughts that you peel yourself from the bed and try to navigate your way into
- the bathroom, despite your minds insistent protestations that the sound of your walking is far, far too
- loud
- >Yep, you look like a mess. Well, nothing else for it but to take a hot shower. At least wash some of the
- stench off yourself
- >Going downstairs you... smell booze. You'd just washed yourself thoroughly, you shouldn't stink-
- >Why is Applejack on your couch, snoring loudly? Through the haze of memory you think you might
- have invited her in. Being felt up by her was the least your drunk ass deserved for that stupidity
- >There's nothing else for it but to throw her over your shoulder and carry her outside. This is too
- unnerving to accept eating at home, you can just grab a quick bite to eat on the way to the library
- >You're just finishing off the sandwich when you arrive, pushing on through and hoping there aren't too
- many patrons today to use that squeaky door
- >"Good mornin, A- Wow, rough night?"
- >"Do I look that bad?"
- >Twilight continues looking you over for a moment more before sighing and going into her kitchen
- >"Come on, you're not going to get any work done like that. Not yet anyway. I'll make us some coffee
- and we can have a talk."
- >"And that's all that's been going on."
- >Twilight hadn't been as close to you as Rainbow but right now she's about as good a friend as you're
- going to get, to talk to about all this. Might not be the best idea considering her own inexperience but
- even talking about it makes you feel somewhat better about the whole thing
- >So the two of you are now sitting in the kitchen, having gone through more coffee than you're sure is
- healthy but at least your hangover is starting to dissipate. Maybe she put something in it or has been
- using magic...
- >"Wow, can't say I envy you. But I think I understand why Rainbow's so upset."
- >At your questioning look she goes on
- >"She made me promise not to tell you but considering the circumstances I think it's okay. She really
- had a thing for you. Not like Applejack or Fluttershy, she really loved you, Anon. She told me that's
- why she'd never do anything like that."
- >You take another sip of the coffee, thankful that it's still hot. Equestrian coffee tasted a little sweeter
- than the kind you'd been used to back on Earth but at least it could still get you motoring
- >"How could you do that to her?"
- >Nobody ever does a spit take like you'd see in the movies. You either choke it down or just sort of
- cough it out. You've got your wits about you enough to do the former
- >"Me? What did I do to her?"
- >Twilight stamps a hoof down, a gesture you'd regularly seen Dash perform. It's almost comical how
- much softer it is in comparison, though her eyes still hold all the fire of her anger
- >"You lead her along and then you just... broke her heart! Do you know she called into me last week to
- tell me how upset she was? I thought maybe she was just overreacting and that this whole thing with
- Rarity wasn't that serious. She loved you first, Anon!"
- >Where your hangover was going, a new headache was moving in to replace it. The strain of research
- may be put off for now but it looked like you were still going to be under pressure
- >"Lead her along? What are you talking about, I never gave any indication I was interested."
- >"But you never explicitly told you you didn't like her."
- >"I thought that was implied by the fact I had explicitly stated I'd no interest in ponies."
- >"Not then."
- >"I didn't know this was going to happen!"
- >You shouldn't have slammed the cup down so hard. A crack runs through the base and coffee sloshes
- out of it
- >Twilight sighs and magicks a repair on the cup and lifts the moisture over to the sink
- >"Rainbow loving me first doesn't come into it."
- >"I don't see how it doesn't. She knew, you knew but you still went off with Rarity instead. Don't you
- care about her?"
- >"Of course I do!"
- >Just take your hand off the cup, settle the two in your lap and try to calm down. This isn't Twilight's
- fault
- >"But I'm with Rarity now, I made a promise to her. Twi, I think I might be falling for her."
- >She looks up at you in confusion, anger, pain, pride... a whole gamut of emotion plays across her face
- >"You have to make this up to Rainbow."
- >"I don't think I can. We just want different things; friendships like that never work out."
- >"Anon, if there's one thing I've learned it's that friendship is only as strong as you make it. If you care
- for a pony enough to want to be her friend you'll do what it takes to stay her friend."
- >Being lectured about friendship by Twilight Sparkle. It would almost be absurd if she didn't have a
- point
- >"Sure, Twi. I'll figure something out."
- >You hope
- >The rest of the morning and afternoon passes in... you can't say a companionable silence, not after that
- but the air is cleared somewhat at least. You take your break, knowing there's only one place you need
- to be
- >Before you reach the door of Carousel Boutique you can see in the window that not all is as it should
- be. There's a dishevellment to the place that isn't right. In fact you'd only seen it like this a few times
- previously
- >Again, you don't knock before entering but the cheerful tinkling of the bell isn't quite so welcoming
- when it lacks the equally cheerful greeting of its owner
- >The lady isn't anywhere around the front of the store but you're sure you can hear the sound of the
- sewing machine being used. Sure enough, there in the workroom a haggard looking Rarity is hunched
- over some new creation, her tired eyes straining to see through her glasses
- >"Rarity?"
- >She jumps and looks up from her work, now giving you a perfect view of the bags under her eyes
- >"Oh... Anon, how... how are you?"
- >You don't say a word, only walk straight over and put your arms around her
- >She sobs suddenly, quietly against you
- >"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I did that..."
- >You pull her tighter
- >"No, it's not your fault. This is something between myself and Dash. If she can't accept us... well it's
- just her loss."
- >She sniffs, putting her forelegs on your arms
- >"I don't want you to lose her..."
- >"And I don't want to lose you."
- >You hold Rarity for a few moments longer before letting go, allowing her to sit herself just a little
- straighter than she was before
- >"Dash and I? We can figure this out ourselves, you just concentrate on us."
- >She sniffs once more before turning around, a small smile tugging back her lips
- >"Us?"
- >"I think my trust has been well placed so far, Rarity. I admit, three years of doubt doesn't just go away
- but you look like you're making a real effort."
- >"Oh I am! I-I am!"
- >"And in that case I think I'm going to be with you for the long haul."
- >She takes a deep, shuddering breath before rising and standing tall. For a mare, it's surprising how she
- comes as high as your chest
- >"Thank you, darling. That means quite a lot to me. Speaking of us!"
- >Her horn lights up and you spot something floating towards the two of you from the corner of your
- eye
- >"I managed to get your suit all done for this weekend! I still want to take a little time for your casual
- jacket, however, getting the colour and fabric just right is... it's a challenge but then there's nothing I
- love more."
- >The clothes are gently deposited in your outstretched arms but Rarity continues to look up at you
- expectantly
- >"Well? Come along now, you simply must fit them on! Oh I can only imagine how dashing you must
- look in them!"
- >Not one to deny a lady her request - and feeling quite eager to fit the suit on yourself - you slip behind
- a screen and begin to change. Hmm, dark grey, good thing she kept the colour subdued as you wanted.
- Lining feels like its silk and... lavender? Yes, it's quite pleasing. Waistcoat sits snugly against your chest
- and midriff. Now you feel like the 'gentlecolt' Rarity has been speaking of
- >"Rarity this fits perfectly! Really, I don't think I've ever had clothing so comfortable."
- >A little titter, the sound of it is growing on you
- >"Well I am the premier fashion designer in Equestria, darling!"
- >Stepping out, yes, it even feels comfortable to walk in! Rarity practically lights up when she sees you
- >"How do I look?"
- >She trots about, looking you up and down
- >"Stitching over the shoulders is fine... no sagging or stretching... hmm, rump seems a little tight..."
- >"Complaining?"
- >"Certainly not!"
- >She finishes her circle and sits down in front of you smiling triumphantly
- >"I can already see a new fashion line of casual and formal suits for stallions!"
- >Naturally. You look down and are quite taken by the buttons you hadn't quite noticed before. They
- glint purple against the white shirt
- >"Are these... ?"
- >"Amethyst, darling. Only the finest without -any- inclusions. I told you I would make you shine!"
- >But that's not all. There's something else, something more important you missed. You understand what
- it is, now
- >A lapel pin, or rather three small ones, consisting of three blue diamonds in a marquise cut, arranged
- to imitate Rarity's cutie mark
- >She sees the look you're giving it and speaks up
- >"I'd thought you might permit me that little vanity, Anon. Oh! That neck looks horridly bare! I shall
- have to do something about that... hmm, perhaps a nice cravat to round out the outfit."
- >She trots over to her drawing board, charcoal already held up
- >"Don't worry, you shan't be without it before this weekend."
- >The charcoal is suddenly dropped
- >"Oh! Speaking of that, might I enquire as to where we shall be dining?"
- >Ah yes, you knew you'd forgotten something
- >As casually as you can muster you say, "Have you heard of that new restaurant that's just opened? Le
- Domaine du Roi?"
- >Rarity gives a double-take
- >"Th-The Domaine du Roi?! B-But that's impossible to get into! Ponies have been coming from even
- Manehatten to attend, how did you possibly get a reservation?!"
- >Yes, how -did- you?
- >"Well... I just told them that I was going to dine there with the most beautiful pony in Equestria and
- under no circumstances would I be denied."
- >You won't. By god you're going to pull this off somehow
- >For the second time Rarity leaps into your arms, only now you're ready to catch and hold her
- >"Oh darling, thankyou thankyou thankyou! Oh but I have to finish my outfit, I've got to get my
- hooves polished and my horn filed! I've got to get my mane styled into something fabulous! I-"
- >You cut her off with a quick kiss
- >"Calm down, as long as you're there I don't care if you're in rags."
- >"Rags?! Oh no, no I could never!"
- >She smiles, softening her words
- >"Thank you, Anon. Really. This is... it's all like a dream come true!"
- >And you'll have to find some way of getting that reservation if that's to be so
- >You depart after making your goodbyes, heading straight back to the library, the recent unpleasantness
- forgotten in the wake of what lies ahead of you
- Chapter 4
- >You sit on the couch of your living room, having spent the better part of your evening with the maître
- d' of the Domaine du Roi, you'd finally managed to secure a table for yourself and Rarity for this
- weekend. Not that it had been in any way easy
- >Not only did you have to take out a large chunk of your savings, you also had to play up the fact that
- you were the only human in this world and would be bringing one of, if not, the most renowned fashion
- designers in Equestria. Even then the stallion had been more than a little rude. Perhaps if you thought to
- change into your suit it may have helped matters...
- >Well, it matters not. Rarity has obviously been making the effort and you considered this something of
- a reward for her. As well as part payment for the clothing. Even if you're sure your entire savings
- wouldn't cover their cost
- >You had also stopped off to buy another bottle of brandy, though the few memories you have of the
- previous night's drinking prevent you from touching it just yet
- >Applejack had been thankfully absent by the time you got home but, as with the laundry excuse, you
- couldn't help but feel you were simply drawing an even greater misfortune down upon yourself. Worst
- comes to worst you could just get her drunk and try to talk her out of all this
- >You've been watching some cheap action flick. The kind you and Dash would usually retire to the
- house on many evenings to enjoy, together.
- >The television is turned off at that thought. The last thing you need right now is a reminder of her.
- Thinking of Rainbow lead to thinking of Applejack and that... It wasn't just that you'd been foolish
- enough to invite her in, it's what followed after. If Rarity even got a whiff of you drunkenly fooling
- around... Not to mention the personal shame it brought, despite still being a secret. Perhaps it was time
- you simply gave up the booze
- >A few days later you've still left the bottle untouched when a knock comes at your door. If you're to
- have it out, it may as well be now, before the weekend
- >It really was too much to hope that word of your courting Rarity might have gotten out and dissuaded
- your other... suitors. You hadn't exactly broadcast it, if you also made no real attempt to hide it. Still, in
- time it might be nice to have others look upon you and think what a nice couple you make. Contingent
- upon Rarity's good behavior, of course
- >But you can only put off opening the door for so long as the insistent knocking declares. With as little
- effort as possible to open it you do so and find...
- >Applejack -and- Fluttershy?
- >"Howdy, sugarcube! 'Shy here's not much of a drinker but after I told her of the time we had
- ourselves... hoowee, I couldn't hold 'er back if I tried!"
- >You turn from Applejack to Fluttershy, who's making a show of trying to appear as if she's not there
- >"I really would like, um... to... um, Applejack? Was it, get wasted?"
- >The mare at her side nods back, smiling
- >"Um, yes, wasted with you. I-If that's okay... we can just... just have fun if you want..."
- >You're sure this presents an opportunity but you're not sure what. It'll come to you in time, you're sure
- but for now you've got to get these mares drunk
- >Which proves as easy as you might expect in the case of Fluttershy. She's surprisingly subdued,
- however, content to just lean up against you smiling that insipid smile only the drunk do. Applejack
- however...
- >"You not drinkin' tonight, sugarcube?"
- >You look down at the mostly full glass in your hand
- >"Nah, I started earlier. Don't want to conk out on you."
- >She giggles into a hiccup. Yes, she's getting nicely filled
- >"Naw, naw, I'm sorry about t'other night. But you better be sorry fer yer whiskey dick!"
- >"Which is why I'm going easy."
- >"Oooh! Yer a sensible feller, y'know that?"
- >You go on to agree but insist she drink up, it's more fun when your partner is less inhibited
- >Not that that's not already a problem with AJ
- >As she becomes more inebriated she, predictably, loses control over her hooves and they start to
- wander: over herself, yourself and Fluttershy
- >Now this is what you were waiting for
- >"AJ, I'm just gonna hit the bathroom, make sure everything's cleaned out first. Why don't you girls get
- each other warmed up before I get back."
- >In any other state you know Applejack would have scoffed at the idea of touching another mare but
- like this, she's looking at Fluttershy like she's a cool glass of cider
- >So you quickly nip out, take a leak, take your time getting back and find the two entangled and
- snoring
- >Yep, you shouldn't need to worry about Applejack passing out your little secret. Blackmail's moral
- questionability aside, you did consider her to have taken advantage of you that night
- >Bed calls and you gladyly answer
- >Tonight's the night! Laying off the drink had been a sensible idea for more than just being able to take
- care of Flutters and AJ. It meant you could get ready with a clear head. Well, mostly clear
- >You had hoped Rainbow might have been feeling better enough to see you but, again, her usual haunts
- are devoid of her. If it meant that she was just coming to terms with things you didn't mind. Twilight's
- words had stuck and you really did want to salvage a friendship from the wreckage this had turned into
- >But you had to put her out of your mind, at least for now. Thoughts of the blue mare would just bring
- you down into a funk and if you were going to ensure this was a perfect night for Rarity, you were
- damn sure you'd keep that off your mind
- >Washed, primped and decked out to the nines you set off from your home. Heads turn at your stride
- and you hope they recognise the handiwork as Rarity's. Having word of her expanding into male
- fashion would only do good for her career
- >The thought of stopping by Lily's cart comes to you but... flowers are just a little clichéd, and early
- yet. If you're celebrating next year's Hearts and Hooves day with her then you know it would be the
- time you could engage in it
- >Tonight, you do stop to knock at the door of the Carousel Boutique, a sing-song "Just a minute!"
- coming from within. There are no crashes, no hooves running about, just the susurration of cloth over
- the evening sounds of birds
- >The door is magicked open and... wow. You knew Rarity was a dab hand at designing, you'd even
- seen some of her best designs but something about this dress just makes your heart skip a beat. It bore a
- resemblance to a blue number with gold trim you'd seen before, carefully stashed away in the back but
- it had been heavily modified.
- >The tournure had been let out slightly, accentuating her rump with the end tailing to tight creases. The
- neck was now slashed open, a series of ruffles flowing out of it, suspending a simple gold necklace
- with a topaz pendant. The back... well, it certainly did justice to her figure, that's all you would allow
- yourself to think.
- >And that was just the dress. The lady had clearly spent much time cleaning herself and now what parts
- of her coat showed, practically shone. Her hair was out of its normal high curls and set straight down
- her nack and side, only serving to call how long and thin her neck is to attention
- >Seeing you eyeing her so pointedly she blushes slightly, turning aside from your gaze
- >"Well... ? How do I look?"
- >It takes you but a moment to gather your wits about you. Certainly, you'd expected Rarity to look nice
- but this... she had truly outdone herself! Your only regret was that you could not walk arm in arm with
- her, so that any onlooker might know that it was you who was being accompanied by such a beautiful
- lady
- >"Magnificent."
- >Yes, that should do nicely. At least until your brain decides to stop the infinite loop of processing how
- gorgeous she is. It's made a little easier when Rarity suddenly whips her head about
- >"Oh! I'd almost forgotten! I'm sorry it took me so long to finish your cravat, darling, but I just wanted
- it... perfect."
- >Ushering you in you follow after, pleased to see the interior back to its usual perfect cleanliness
- >"Now..."
- >The collar of your shirt is magicked open and a red cravat, sporting an intricate paisley pattern, is tied
- about it, the front suitably set against your neck
- >"There! Oh, you look positively smashing!"
- >With that radiant smile filling your view you hold your hand out
- >"Shall we?"
- >She leads off, out the door and through the town
- >If you had been turning heads before you had attracted even more attention now, along with some
- hushed whispers. Perhaps having shunned Ponies for so long, to now go out with a mare that had
- attracted the attentions of both mares and stallions from across the land looked even more curious. It
- brings you no small measure of pride to think that you should be the one to have taken her fancy
- >And then, arriving at Le Domaine du Roi, every p0ny assembled at the doors stopped their chatter and
- looked at the approaching oddity
- >"Oh my, do you see her? That's Brandy Snaps! You know she provides the catering for the Grand
- Galloping Gala! Oh! And that stallion there is Spring Rains, his literature has become quite fashionable
- in the upper-class parts of Trottingham!"
- >She continues pointing out notable ponies in her hushed tone before you stop her with a hand to her
- shoulder
- >"I'm afraid you forgot the most important pony in attendance tonight."
- >She gives you a questioning look before quickly looking about
- >"Miss Rarity, the most eminent fashionista in all of Equestria. Who's designs have been featured in
- some of its most respected publications as well as seen at practically every social event worth
- attending."
- >Her cheeks darken slightly before she breaks into a giggle
- >"You know that kind of flattery won't do a thing to endear you to my desires!"
- >"And flattery is just the cry of those too humble to accept how great they are. This is your night,
- Rarity. Don't be afraid to enjoy it."
- >She looks up to you before slowly looking about herself, her smile growing
- >"Yes. Yes! I -am- Miss Rarity! And if there's anyp0ny here who knows what class and grace is, it is I!"
- >With her back set straight and legs stepping high you lead her on, into the restaurant, leaving more
- than a few jealous glances from those simply hanging off the more fortunate
- >The maître d' gives you that same dirty glance before his eyes snap back up to you. Yes, as you'd
- expected, the suit did indeed show that you were no Johnny-come-lately, riding off the worth of another
- or blowing in on winnings out of Las Pegasus
- >"Ah, Madame Rarity! Such a pleasure to have a pony of your eminence grace our little établissement!
- And what a... handsome... gentlecolt joining you this evening. Please! We have a table reserved for
- you, if you will follow me."
- >Oh yes, it's nice to see him squirm a little. Rarity may consider herself a cut above the rest but she
- would never throw it in anyone's face and certainly was never afraid to lower herself if it meant helping
- another
- >Walking through the restaurant you draw some curious looks but the patrons settle back to their own
- meals and conversations quickly enough, only a few continuing to send odd glances your way
- >The dinner is taken slowly, with conversation richly offered by both of you, having found a common
- interest. Rarity needles you incessantly at your attitudes to certain Victorian fashion designs, delighting
- in a number of their qualities and assured to take ideas from it
- >It takes a track off that and onto current events, however
- >"Oh I do hope that Rainbow Dash is willing to make up with you; you two were always so close,
- gallivanting about like freep0nies!"
- >You take a rather large draught of your wine, hoping to have set aside those concerns for tonight
- >"Well it's her decision, if she wants to get back with me. I'm not going to go crying to her."
- >"Oh darling, that's not what I meant at all! It's just that you clearly want to keep up your friendship -"
- >Pour another glass, take a drink
- >"- and I can read it so clearly from you that it's hurting. Would you like to talk about it?"
- >Another glass, another drink
- >"Maybe you should slow down, you don't want to overdo it."
- >She's looking at you quite concerned and you sigh, heavily, setting down a now half filled glass
- >"You're right, sorry."
- >Ah, now there's that delightful smile back. She shifts slightly upon her cushion and you do the same.
- You'd long since gotten used to the idea of sitting like this and, in fact, found it quite comfortable
- compared to the kind of straight-backed chairs one usually finds in these places
- >"It's just been hard, you know? I really do want us to remain friends but I think it's going to take her a
- while to... get over us."
- >"Get... over you? Whatever do you mean, darling?"
- >Ah. She's not smiling at you or otherwise giving any indication she's being facetious. Perhaps she
- didn't pick up on it, herself
- >"Well... okay, you know we've been good friends since we met right? Dash also... had a thing for me.
- The whole time."
- >She stops sipping at the wine glass now at her lips and gently levitates it to the table
- >"And you knew all along?"
- >"Yes. But at the time I wasn't comfortable with the idea. As you know."
- >"Yes..."
- >"Anyway, when I came out she obviously thought it was her chance but-"
- >"I strode in and ruined everything, didn't I?"
- >You didn't like the tone she was using. It was altogether too defeatist
- >"No. No, you didn't ruin anything. If it wasn't you then it would've been another pony. I like, Dash,
- really but I don't think I could ever get with her."
- >"Oh..."
- >There's a little pause, you're not sure what else you can say to her
- >"But... you could see us together?"
- >You go to take a drink but stop short. You don't need to, not for this
- >"Yes. I honestly can."
- >The atmosphere shifts at those words. The warm red and white tones of the painted walls seem that
- little bit more comforting and when Rarity smiles at you it makes you feel that much better about
- what's been happening
- >You resume your earlier conversation, an embittered debate rising as to the superiority of the Greek
- chlamys over Achaemenid designs. One you're more than a little sore to realise you're losing badly
- >"And with the greater surface area it allows one to fit more intricate designs as well as employ that
- modesty you're so fond of!"
- >You're a little glad an interruption comes in the the form of a grey unicorn, as well dressed as the other
- patrons, walks up to your table
- >"Please excuse my interruption but are you Miss Rarity, of the Carousel Boutique?"
- >The lady in question slips on her usual smile when someone enquires as to her career
- >"Why yes, I am she, who might-"
- >Her eyes bug out as she turns to see the stallion
- >"Very good! I am Spring Rains of Trottingham. I've just been looking at your companions fascinating
- clothing and I had to know, do you know who tailored it?"
- >Her mouth works soundlessly for a few moments before she brings herself under control - no doubt
- with the aid of that little drink of wine
- >"A-As a matter of fact I do, I produced it."
- >Now it is the stallion's turn to baulk, looking between you and her
- >"Really? My word, madame, if this is what you can do for the male of a different species I'd love to
- see what you might with a pony! Would you, perhaps, consider producing another outfit of this style?"
- >Hmm, he's taken her shocked silence as an assent
- >"I've got an important meeting with some business clients coming up and I should just love to show
- them up with such a marvellous outfit."
- >O-Oh, I'm sure I can... arrange something appropriate. Please do call to my shop at your... earliest
- convenience and I shall begin."
- >The stallion beams down at her, nodding
- >"Wonderful, wonderful! Make no mistake, Miss Rarity, I shall be singing your praises once I return to
- my home!"
- >With a short bow to her he trots off, head held high
- >"D-Did you see that?"
- >Oh it's so nice to see her so shocked after delivering the beatdown on your arguments
- >"The stallion offering you an opportunity to expand your business? I think I might've caught a
- glimpse of that..."
- >That's it, Anon, just play it cool
- >"Opportunity? Darling, this is nothing short of magnificent! A writer like Spring Rains will have
- everyp0ny hanging on his words when he talks of my fashions, and when he's seen wearing one of my
- outfits... !"
- >She places her hooves on the table, closing her eyes and forcing her breathing to steady
- >"Oh I just can't thank you enough!"
- >Play it cool, just- what?"
- >"P-Pardon?"
- >"Why, if you'd never told me how to make that suit this never would have happened."
- >"W-Well... it wasn't me who made it! He was praising -your- talents."
- >"Mmmhmm, and if you hadn't gotten us this reservation then I never would have been spotted."
- >Alright, killing blow
- >"That may be but if you weren't quite so lovely I'm sure he would never have bothered to come over."
- >Wait, no! Idiot! That wasn't what you were meant to say! Great, now your face is on fire and there's
- no way she's going to believe it's the lighting
- >Oh great, now she's got the biggest smile and her eyes can't stop widening
- >"You... you think I'm 'lovely'?"
- >You could have stayed on the down-low. You could have held out for just a little longer but you're an
- idiot so you just can't deny what you think of the unicorn sitting across from you
- >"I-It's just that... your coat looks so nice under the lighting and the dress... well, it flatters your figure
- so well..."
- >You sigh heavily, trying to look like you're fixing your waistcoat on yourself
- >"Look, I was hoping to wait a little longer, I didn't want to get your hopes up but... I've really enjoyed
- our time together so far and, if I'm to be perfectly honest, as long as you keep as you've been going I
- have no doubts we'll be able to make something wonderful together..."
- >Why does this have to be so hard? You've already admitted you can find ponies attractive and that you
- can be in a relationship with one. Is it that the reality is different from what you thought? No!
- >Well... not exactly. You hadn't imagined you might become so taken by a pony but you've never really
- appreciated what good company Rarity can make. You've never allowed yourself to
- >"Well I suppose one can't be faulted for taking the fancy of a lady of -my- stature."
- >Oho, she's good. And she knows it if that grin is anything to go by
- >"What was that you said about flattery? The 'call of those too humble to appreciate how great they
- truly are'?"
- >Fine then. Just reach over and put your hand on her hoof
- >"And you are a great pony. And I'm glad we're doing this."
- >She shifts her other hoof over onto the back of your hand, the smile never fading and her eyes never
- leaving yours
- >"As am I, darling. Now! What's say we continue our little tête-à-tête? As I recall, you were ready to
- admit defeat!"
- >You want to hate her. By god do you want to but it's impossible. Blasted Rarity and her insufferably
- endearing charm...
- >Dessert was... well, it was beyond the extravagant. Rarity sat for minutes just staring at her own,
- insisting it was simply too wonderful to disturb. You jabbed a fork in it, much to her immediate horror
- but tasting it... you were afraid she was going to call for seconds, considering its expense
- >But the expense didn't matter, did it. It ate into your savings once more but to see the look of
- unrestrained joy on the lady's face as you walked her out past jealous eyes was more than worth it
- >Perhaps Spring Rains had already begun his talk, if the hushed tones of ponies pointing to your suit
- were anything to go by
- >The streets of Ponyville are mostly empty at this hour but that just means the walk back to the
- Carousel Boutique is all that more intimate. Rarity walks close, bumping against you now and again.
- Perhaps it's just the wine that's given her the courage to let herself do that, you don't mind. Tonight was
- too wonderful to think that she was doing something untoward with this
- >"Anon, that was quite possibly the best night I have ever had!"
- >She shuffles from one hoof to another, not looking at you
- >"Though, I suppose there is -one- thing that-"
- >Oh shut up Rarity. Can't you tell when your little insinuations are just too endearing?
- >Indeed, a kiss is quite the thing to quieten her. It's more intimate than you'd permitted yourself before,
- allowing her tongue to pass your own lips but you don't hold it too long, just allowing her a taste of
- what she can expect if she holds to her word
- >"Mmm! You are an incessant tease, you know that?"
- >"I prefer to think of it as milestones in my trust. A few weeks ago I'd never have thought of doing
- that."
- >She shuffles her hooves once again, the material of her dress making a wonderful sound as it moves
- >"A few weeks ago I never could have imagined we'd be together."
- >"But I think this is better, don't you?"
- >She looks up to you, down to the ground, off to the side, bites her lip before looking at you once
- more, still shuffling
- >"One more? For the sake of a lady?"
- >You smile, leaning in. "For the sake of a lady."
- >Again, you permit her tongue to enter but pull away before she can do more than roam over your
- incisors
- >"Augh! Do you have -any- idea what this is like for me?"
- >But she's smiling devilishly at you, despite her tone
- >"Maybe I just enjoy getting you bothered. Give you something to strive for, hmm?"
- >She lets out a little throaty chuckle, you almost wish to kiss that neck-
- >"Good night, Anon!"
- >Still smiling her smile she trots in to her home, closing the door with a backwards look to you
- >This was probably the best nights sleep you've gotten in... well, as far back as you can cast your mind.
- That, of course, didn't have anything to do with dreams of a certain lady. No, you're far too much the
- gentleman to admit even to yourself that you could have imagined Rarity doing those things
- >Alright, maybe the idea of just being curled up in bed with her isn't all that bad but it'll be some time
- yet before you can get comfortable with it in the waking world`
- >It makes breakfast more pleasant than it has been, too. You cook up some scrambled eggs, a mean
- round of toast and some tea. Sun's shining, maybe you can even find your bro and finally have things
- patched up. Now that'd be everything going your way
- >But it's not to be so, it would seem. You pass about town in your duds, once again going to the usual
- hangouts but she's nowhere to be seen. Even the cloud above the town's fountain that she loves to lie
- on, passing comments down to you is conspicuously devoid of a rainbow tail hanging over it. Maybe
- you just need to give her some more time.
- >That's what she's like, right? She blows up real easy but she eventually gets over things. Plus she's got
- her friends to help her through it. They'll be sure to give her the support she needs until she can come
- back to you. Right, give her time and she'll be back to her old Rainbro self
- >Actually, since you've got nothing else going on you could call to see Rarity. She did say she had a
- few things left to work on, on your jacket and trousers. Maybe you could just stop by and see how it's
- coming along
- >It's not in any way an opportunity to see the lady
- >Carousel Boutique is... you can feel it when you enter. Rarity, by the sounds of the sewing machine, is
- in back but there's none of her happy humming or even the soft murmuring of her going through ideas
- >You still walk casually into the backroom, sure to find her just concentrating on what she's doing
- >"Afternoon, Rarity. How's the order coming?"
- >She continues at the machine for a moment longer before slowly looking up
- >"Fine."
- >That was... icier than you'd expected. In fact, after last night you'd hoped she'd still be as kind to you
- as she'd been
- >"Rarity... are you okay?"
- >She's back to stitching now and doesn't look up as she speaks
- >"Is there any reason I would not be?"
- >You walk around to her side but keep a respectful distance. You don't know what you've done or if it
- was even you but you weren't going to just let this lie
- >"Did something happen to you this morning?"
- >She halts her stitching once more and looks up to you, eyes narrowed to a degree that makes you
- uncomfortable just looking at them
- >"-Not- this morning, quite a few nights ago, actually. And it wasn't to -me-!"
- >She's breathing heavily, the cloth clutched in her hooves as she stares daggers at you. You're scanning
- your memory, trying to think of anything that might have happened recently. Only thing is that little...
- thing with AJ but you had that worked out. Unless... Oh god, did Fluttershy say something?
- >You feel your throat turn dry but a cold sweat breaks out over you. This is -not- what you wanted to
- happen. Jesus, not now
- >"Rarity, look I can-"
- >"Explain? Oh yes, I'd simply love to hear an explanation for -that-!"
- >"Whatever Fluttershy told you I'm sure-"
- >"Fluttershy? Fluttershy?! No, she didn't tell me a thing. It was Rainbow Dash who's been keeping
- your dirty little secret. Honestly, and to think I... I..."
- >This... this is bad. Her lower lip is trembling and you know that look in her eyes
- >"I... I've been so good. I-I've done everything... -everything- you asked me and more and you just..."
- >You leap to her side, taking her in your arms. Rarity struggles for a moment, batting at you before she
- breaks down, hooves over your shoulders. You hope she can feel your own tears on her forelegs
- >"Why? W-Why did you..."
- >"Oh Rarity... Rarity please believe me..."
- >She sobs heavily against you
- >"I d-don't want... don't want lies... d-d-don't want..."
- >"It was a mistake, a mistake... I'm sorry, oh Christ I'm so sorry..."
- >You feel the lady rubbing her head in against your shoulder, most likely trying to dry her eyes
- >"W-Why..."
- >"Drunk... drunk, I was drunk... Rainbow... w-we had a fight... AJ called..."
- >"Drunk... how could you... could you -let- yourself..."
- >"A mistake... it was a mistake..."
- >And it was. Just some horrible mistake. And now it might end up costing you Rarity, just as you really
- felt yourself growing closer. You couldn't hold back; you just put your head against her and allowed
- yourself to weep bitterly into her coat. Your one real shot at normality in this crazy world, turned to
- ashes in your mouth because of your own stupidity
- >You don't know how long you hold each other like that; you don't care. All you care is that this may
- well be the last physical contact you'll have with the lady. You clutch at her as tightly as you can,
- burying your face into her soft mane, wishing you'd taken the time before to do this under better
- circumstances and bemoaning that you'll never again feel it
- >In time, her sobbing softens and slows down as does her breathing. She's still holding onto you, your
- legs are tired from being bent down but that's only an abstract, Rarity is in your arms and needs this
- >"Make me another promise."
- >It's a shock that she's even speaking to you, nevermind that she's still willing to look you in the eyes
- after she pulls back, hooves still pressed tightly to you
- >"Yes... anything..."
- >You wish your voice didn't sound so husky. So weak
- >You wish she wasn't able to do this to you
- >"Promise me... promise you'll never do this again. You'll never... fall into this state again; that you will
- never be unfaithful to me again."
- >"Never!"
- >You pull her tight again, hoping desperately this isn't some illusion, isn't just her toying with you or
- you misreading her. You know she isn't by the way she grabs on to you tightly and holds. You know by
- the way she no loner sobs or weeps
- >You raise your head until it's level wit her ear and whisper, "Why?"
- >There's a little, laugh, one you know is being put out against her receding sorrow but the fact that
- she's doing it at all only fans the flames of your hope
- >"Because you taught me there are still things I can learn about generosity."
- >Rarity gives you a light squeeze before pulling back, showing you she's wearing a little smile
- >"You were willing to trust me, Anon and now I'm going to return that trust. Is that alright?"
- >You nod wordlessly, hanging upon her every utterance
- >"Good. Now, would you mind terribly making some of that delightful tea you do? I think I should like
- to sit a spell on my couch with you."
- >She pulls away and gently trots into her living room. There's no sobbing, no fall to her gait, she seems
- to have gotten back her usual confidence
- >Making the tea is a relaxing process. The scents of the spices being warmed in the milk soothe you
- deeply after what's just happened
- >"Could you put a little extra sugar in mine, please?"
- >You dutifully do so, emptying the contents of the pot through a sieve into the cups. You pause to smell
- from each one, the scent now bringing a smile to you
- >Walking into the living room you see the lady sitting back on her couch. A part of you thinks you
- should sit away from her but... after what's happened you want to be close to her. It's entirely possible
- she might like that, too
- >Rarity levitates the cup from your hand as you approach and sets it down on the table. Sitting next to
- her she gently leans back against your chest and you encircle her in your arms
- >You take a sip from your cup
- >"I'm sorry, darling, I shouldn't have judged you so harshly."
- >"No, no you were right. You've been... so good, Rarity, I'm proud of you. I'm sorry I didn't say that
- sooner."
- >She pushes back in against you, you tighten your grip a little
- >"And I can never tell you how sorry I am for what I did. I just don't-"
- >"Darling, let us put all that unpleasantness behind us. We've both done much we're not very proud of."
- >You also never would have seen Rarity lecture you on this subject. The irony is a little amusing
- >You lean down and kiss her mane gently. It tastes of blueberries and elderflower. It doesn't matter if
- it's the shampoo she uses, you love it
- >"I'll make this up to you."
- >"Oh I know you will."
- >Her body undulates against you as she chuckles. But it's not a bitter thing, you know what she means.
- You know you've meant what you said
- >"Listen... I understand there's a summer faire that's put on each year here. Would you like to come
- with me to it?"
- >She shifts slightly against you
- >"Don't you think that's a little-"
- >"Clichéd?"
- >That throaty little chuckle again
- >"I was going to say juvenile but I suppose that also works."
- >"And I was just thinking it might be a nice little time for us to spend together."
- >Her forelegs come out and hug your arms. She turns and nuzzles in against your chest
- >"Of course, how could I have overlooked that! I'd love to get my hooves all dirty in the mud churned
- up by those ponies."
- >"I could carry you, if you'd like."
- >A titter now. Rarity turns her body, moving into your lap as she moves her forelegs around your back
- and side
- >"I know you would, darling. But I'll suffer through it. For you."
- >She leans up suddenly and her lips connect with your own. The kiss is more passionate than you
- would have allowed before but things are different now
- >She laps at your lips before diving in, exploring your mouth. Her thin, agile tongue making quick
- work of it. Did all pony's have such sensual appendages or were you just blessed to have a partner with
- one?
- >Regardless, you see her eyes snap open at the small moan you utter. Yes, Rarity, this -is- exceedingly
- enjoyable. Aha, at least she has to pull away as that grin splits her mouth open
- >"My word, I never thought I'd be the one to get that out of you!"
- >You take a moment to catch your breath
- >"What... what -was- that?"
- >Oh, Rarity, that smirk never fails to look adorable on you
- >"That, Anon, was for -me-."
- >Well you're not one to be outdone. You slide one of your hands just a little lower, over her stomach
- >The lady gasps, a small shiver running through her
- >"Still so confident?"
- >"Oooh, you're a wicked man!"
- >You raise you hand to rest on her shoulder
- >"The day -will- come, Rarity. I ask only that you be patient."
- >She kisses you quickly on the lips once more. Looks like she likes a little revenge
- >"I have waited three years, darling, I can wait a little longer if I know that we may... be together in the
- end."
- >You'd like to just sit there with her for some time, just enjoying this warmth of her gentle touch. After
- what you'd just been through you'd happily spend the rest of the day here but something is nagging at
- the back of your mind
- >"And we will. Listen, I have to nip out to pick up some groceries but I'll call into you tomorrow if
- that's okay."
- >"You may call upon me as much as you wish, as long as I know you won't deny me a few...
- indulgences!"
- >Nope, you pull back before she can kiss you again. She pouts. You lean down and peck her
- >"They're not limitless you know. Not yet at least."
- >She huffs sharply
- >"I -am- sorry, Anon. It's just... well it's easy for me to forget."
- >"I'm not going to hold it against you. And I am growing to enjoy... this but maybe we could just slow
- it down a little? For now?"
- >The lady rests her head against your chest once more
- >"For now."
- >You left Rarity in... well high spirits might not be correct. Obviously, it's going to take time to deal
- with what you did but you feel better knowing it's just out in the open and has been dealt with
- >But that little matter... you don't even know how you're going to- Of course! Her house!
- >With purpose in your stride you head off in the direction of a certain cloud house, ready to give a
- certain cyan pegasus an earful
- >That was the plan. Standing below it hollering up had done nothing except attract some curious stares
- from passing ponies
- >Realising you're not actually going to get anything done like this you head home. You're going to have
- to run into Dash eventually and when you do...
- >Odd, there's something on the windowsill. Approaching, you see it's paper. Yes, it's the weather
- schedule. Dash was already here!
- >Oh, something's just fallen out of the little booklet. Looks like some sort of note...
- >Dash wants you to meet her tomorrow at Sugarcube Corner, says you need to have a talk
- >Damn right you do. You may have been wrong to do what you did but there was only one of two ways
- Dash knew what you were up to and you doubt Fluttershy would have been bragging to her about it
- >You were going to have it out with her and set this shit straight
- >Monday, you get up again feeling pretty damn good. You've worked through a recent snag in your
- research with Twilight and are now on to more interesting material. Perhaps why the thoughts of
- confronting Dash sit low in your mind
- >Conversation with Twilight is strangely absent for most of the morning until she finally speaks up,
- nearing your break
- >"Anon, how are you?"
- >It seems a little odd a question, considering you've spent the entire morning together
- >"I'm fine, you know how it is."
- >She nods and goes back to her reading before pulling her head up suddenly
- >"No, I mean... how is everything with you?"
- >You stop writing your notes and look up to her
- >"Twi, is there something you want to ask?"
- >She rubs a hoof on her leg, absently looking away
- >"Maybe... It's just that you haven't been talking about Rainbow Dash since..."
- >You look away, out the east window, knowing what's going to be out there soon
- >"Yeah. I'm still working on that."
- >She beams suddenly, eyes closed but face turned to you
- >"See? I told you if you keep at it, things would work out!"
- >Why is she always so insistent on seeing the best where her friends are involved? Maybe that
- innocence is one of the reasons you enjoy her company
- >"Yeah... listen, I'm going to take my lunch, you want anything back?"
- >She shakes her head, now intently turned back to her reading
- >Sugarcube corner is busy at this hour as you expect and... ah yes, there she is. She's sitting at a table
- looking about nervously but as soon as she catches your eye she lifts a hoof and waves it at you
- >You grit your teeth and stride up to the table, hoping her antics aren't attracting too much attention
- from the other ponies
- >"Hey, Dude, what's up?"
- >You sit down opposite her and just... look at her. You have to give yourself a second to mull this over
- >"Yeah, I think we could do with a talk about what's up."
- >She sinks back onto the ground, suddenly not looking quite so forcedly upbeat
- >"Whoah, did Fluttershy and Applejack call to your house this morning?"
- >You ball your hands into fists to stop yourself from reaching over to her
- >"You've got a lotta nerve talking about those two."
- >"What? What did I do?"
- >She's... she's genuinely confused, isn't she? How could she not understand what you're talking about,
- not remember what she's done
- >"How the hell did you know about... about what happened between me and AJ?"
- >She looks down suddenly, you see her hooves moving about over the table
- >"Oh, that. Well... see, I saw AJ call by and I just wanted to... uh, keep a watch to make sure you were
- okay."
- >"Yeah? And when she started groping me?"
- >Dash flinches, wincing
- >"I... you looked like you were enjoying it?"
- >You let go. You just can't deal with this. You have to remember what Twilight talked to you about. She
- was right
- >"Dash, just tell me why you told Rarity about it."
- >She looks up at you, eyes open but still narrowed somewhat. She puts a hoof on the table and points it
- towards you
- >"It wasn't loyal of you to do that. That's me, remember?"
- >"Don't you think you could have handled it better?"
- >"Pfft, whatever dude, so I guess she's pretty much dumped ya right?"
- >There's no way she should be sounding smug about that
- >"Actually she's forgiven me. I think she-"
- >CLOP
- >You could almost feel the ground shake from Dash putting her hoof down so hard
- >"Is that right?"
- >"Hi, Dashie!"
- >You're not quite sure how to feel about the arrival of Pinkie Pie. Nor her rather jarring jovial tone
- >Dash immediately perks up, though
- >"Oh, hey Pinks, how are ya?"
- >She giggles sweetly, settling down against her friend
- >"Great! But you know what'd make me even better? I think the Cakes are making milkshakes right
- now, wanna get some for us?"
- >"Aww man, milkshakes? I haven't had any in like forever!"
- >You're forgotten in a heartbeat as Dash trots off into the building without a backwards glance
- >Pinkie... her face falls immediately as she turns to you
- >"Anon, why are you doing this?"
- >You lean forward, resting yourself against the table. It'd be nice if you were a little more emotionally
- drained so you didn't have to deal with this but Pinkie's sweet innocence can't be denied
- >"Could you tell me what-"
- >"Don't."
- >It's not harsh or angry or loud even, it's just a quiet little statement. You look a little closer and see her
- eyes moistening and her mane seems just a little less frizzy than normal
- >"You know what you're doing to Dashie but why are you doing it?"
- >Hands up, rub your temples try to force yourself to think through this
- >You can't
- >"I'm not doing anything to her."
- >"Yes you are! You're hurting her!"
- >No one ever liked hearing Pinkie upset, that was something you learned quickly enough on your
- arrival but it was seldom that upset had been directed at you. It feels surprisingly bad
- >"Pinkie, she's just doing this to herself."
- >"B-But you can stop it. It's so easy to just make her happy, Anon."
- >She's got her hooves on the table, pushing them towards you in a plaintive little gesture. Dash was
- making this hard enough herself but having Pinkie's sorrow turned on you is too much
- >"It's not that simple, I mean that. I wish it was but things are so complicated between us."
- >"It's only as hard as you make it, you know. If... if you really cared about Dashie you'd make her
- happy!"
- >"I want her to be happy!"
- >Damn, you didn't want to blow up at her like that. This isn't her fault, even if she is unwittingly
- stirring matters up. You can't blame her for just wanting her friends to be happy
- >"Then why are you hurting her..."
- >And there it is. You're hurting Dash. You're not entirely to blame - it was her that was unwilling to
- move past this - but you do have a part to play
- >"I can't. I'm sorry but I can't give her what she wants."
- >"Then you're not a very good-"
- >"Hey Pinks, these are some great milkshakes!"
- >Dash is walking back, balancing a tray with three glasses on her back helped by extending her wings
- out slightly
- >Pinkie brightens upon seeing her. Or at least appears to
- >"Told ya! Aww, but I can't join you guys, the Cakes have a big biiig order for me to help with! Catcha
- later, Dashie!"
- >She trots off humming to herself tunelessly as you'd so often hear her do
- >Dash watches her go before slowly sliding the tray onto the table
- >She pushes one of the glasses over to you and you start drinking from it, if only to do something other
- than look at her
- >There's a breath, the sound of lips sucking on a straw then it stops
- >"So... Rarity's okay with what you did?"
- >You pause, still not looking up
- >"We worked it out."
- >You think you hear her shifting on her haunches, look up to see her frowning at you
- >"So she's really okay with it?"
- >"Yes, Dash."
- >You grunt and take up the straw again before stopping suddenly. That thing nagging at the back of
- your mind seems a little clearer now
- >"Why did you tell her?"
- >"I told ya, it-"
- >"No. I want to know why you -really- told her?"
- >"What's that supposed to mean?"
- >She's looking up from her own glass now, giving you a quizzical look but her tone is one of irritation
- >"What I said. Why did you tell her?"
- >Rainbow doesn't respond, just lowers her head down to the milkshake, slowly sipping from the straw
- >"Dash. Why did you tell her?"
- >No response
- >"Dash!"
- >"Buck sake, I can't believe you're actually still doing this!"
- >She brings a hoof up to point at you, knocking over her glass
- >"I thought we had this worked out."
- >She snorts, keep her gaze level with your own
- >"-Obviously- we don't. C'mon dude, ya -know- she's just going to wind up hurting you."
- >She doesn't mean that. You know she doesn't mean that
- >You hope...
- >"Dash..."
- >It's impossible to stop your voice from catching. This is wrong, all wrong. This isn't the way it's meant
- to be
- >"... please, why are you doing this?"
- >"Because I care!"
- >She's huffing heavily, both hooves on the table, propping her up
- >"Because you don't know what it's like for me! I mean... why do you even -think- I want you? Why is
- it I always get along better with non ponies, like the buffalo?"
- >"And Gilda?"
- >You know it's a low blow and you hate yourself for resorting to such a sore topic but if Dash isn't
- going to pull any punches you can't shy away
- >She snorts again, now casting up her eyes and folding her forelegs
- >"Yeah. Gilda. I guess we just wanted different things."
- >"So I guess you could say it's like us, then."
- >She slams her hooves back down again
- >"It's not the same!"
- >You cast your own arms up
- >"It's exactly the same!"
- >"It's not! It's not because I know what ya want and I can -be- that for you! Just please gimme that
- chance..."
- >Oh god no. Why did she have to ask you to give her a chance. You can't, you couldn't. You'd put all
- that behind you, it was just too painful, even at the time
- >"Dash, you know I-"
- >"Please."
- >There's a desperate quaver to her voice
- >"Stop it, you're hurting me Dash, I don't-"
- >"PLEASE!"
- >She's staring at you, lower lip trembling. It's like being with Rarity all over again, any hope of
- salvaging this friendship slipping away between your fingers. Everything you say is exactly what she
- doesn't want to hear
- >You don't have time to respond before Dash lunges across the table, knocking the glasses aside and
- throwing herself upon you
- >Her lips painfully clash against your own and she pulls away with a tiny grunt, only to come back
- almost as forceful, pushing her tongue against your lips. You're too dazed from the fall to react fast
- enough but you quickly start pushing against her, Dash trying to hold on to you
- >You struggle, Dash mashing her lips against you, your hands pressed to her chest. With a shove she's
- off, a yelp escaping her as she hits the table
- >Both of you pant for moments, not really looking at each other or anything in particular
- >"Why?"
- >It's a low growl
- >"WHY?!"
- >She bellows out the word
- >"Because-"
- >"THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER!"
- >She's standing over you, almost bearing her teeth, her eyes still moist
- >"Dash, it doesn't have to end like this. We can still-"
- >"There can only be an 'us' if you want there to be!"
- >"I told you, I can't-"
- >"NO! SHUT UP!"
- >She pants heavily, her breath smells like the milkshake
- >"I can't-"
- >"STOP IT!"
- >"Please-"
- >She grunts, leaping into the air and flying off, out of your life
- >You lie there on the ground, too shocked to move. Too shocked to do more than dab at your eyes
- >You're not sure how long you've been there nor do you care for who's stopped to gawk at you
- >Dash was losing it and you just don't know why. But it'd take too much to pull her back now. Rarity is
- what you want and you're not willing to give her up just to make things easy for Dash. She can work
- through this on her own time if this is how she's going to be
- >Feeling a little more pulled together at those thoughts you slowly push yourself up
- >"Anon? Anon!"
- >That familiar aristocratic tone... it's what you wanted to hear, without realising it
- >A white mass collides with you, forelegs wrapping around your torso and you around it. You clutch to
- it for dear life, breathing in the comforting scents of blueberry and elderflower
- >"Oh darling... Twilight came to see me, she thought you might have visited. What happened?"
- >You bury your head in that mane for a few moments longer before pulling out, feeling suitably
- composed
- >"Dash... Rainbow Dash she... it's over... I don't know... she took..."
- >"Oh Anon!"
- >She pulls you close again and you don't dare resist
- >"Rarity... what am I gonna do?"
- >"Hush now, we'll figure this all out. We'll find a way, love always does."
- >Love... yes, you still loved Rainbow. How could you not? You won't abandon Rarity for her but as
- soon as she's ready to come around you'll be there to welcome her
- >"Come along now, let's get you home."
- >She draws you up and you set off, Rarity pressed tightly against you the whole way
- >"I still can't believe she forced herself upon you!"
- >You've been telling Rarity of what happened while you've been walking. It's helped, as much as you
- might have hoped it would
- >"I know it was wrong but I think I understand why she did it."
- >"Oh understand perhaps but that was simply unwarranted! I shall have strong words for her should I
- she find herself in my company!"
- >You sigh heavily, lifting your head from your hands. Rubbing at it hasn't done anything to lessen the
- headache you feel coming on
- >"Rarity, please, I don't want you getting mixed up in this too."
- >She glares at you momentarily before allowing her features to soften
- >"I know I shouldn't, darling but I just... it's simply so infuriating! I just can't understand how one of
- my own friends could do something like that."
- >"Love makes us do strange things, doesn't it."
- >Bad choice of words, her face falls dramatically
- >"Oh. Yes... yes it does..."
- >You bend down and put your arms on her shoulders
- >"But doesn't it also make us do wonderful things?"
- >"Yes..."
- >The lady draws you into a gentle embrace and you don't much care to end it
- >But needs must and you feel like taking a shower, getting something to eat and just working all of this
- out. Or maybe not and just try to forget it
- >"We have the faire to look forward to, don't forget."
- >"Mmm, I'm looking forward to some time alone with you."
- >She looks at you quite seriously
- >"But if you need anything you know to come see me. It matters not what time it is, if you need to talk
- I'll be waiting."
- >"Thank you, Rarity."
- >She smiles sweetly and you return it before you part ways, the day's events finally catching up to you
- as you fall to your couch
- >It's been a few weeks since your confrontation with Dash and things have been... well, as normal as
- they can be. You've settled into a routine of calling to see Rarity regularly, drinking tea and having long
- talks. You've also tried to strike up a few friendships with some of the ponies you've come to consider
- acquaintances with mixed success
- >Most still seem to consider you either an object of sexual fascination, a menace to ther mates or just a
- complete oddity. The last was easily the worst; you might have thought that after three years they'd be
- comfortable enough around you
- >That said, you've got the faire with Rarity to look forward to in a few days and it looks like you're not
- alone. You can practically feel the excited energy that now grips Ponyville.
- >It would be nice if you had your bro but... maybe she just needs more time
- >You're sitting reading a book one night ("A Treatise on the Variegation of Magical Auras", Twilight
- had insisted it was a great read), when there comes a familiar knock at the door
- >Well, at least they were getting less common now. Maybe word of your being with Rarity was turning
- ponies off
- >"Augh, I can't believe we're really gonna do this!"
- >That voice... you know that voice but you just can't put the name to it, or the face
- >Opening the door you see... her!
- >"Hi Anon!"
- >"H-Hi... Anon..."
- >Fluttershy and that demoness you've come to avoid at every turn you could. The one they call 'Lyra'
- >The minty unicorn is hopping on the spot, beaming at you while levitating a large amount of assorted
- booze next to herself
- >"Fluttershy told me you like to watch mares get drunk and make out and I told her human males just
- like watching two girls doing anything! So we decided to put on a little show for you! A-And maybe
- you can show me just how much you humans like watching..."
- >As your mind runs through processing that spiel, Lyra quickly pushes on through you, ruining
- whatever chances you had in simply shutting them out
- >It strikes you as a little odd how as soon as you cut back on your own drinking the ponies around you
- ramp it up. Maybe consumption of alcohol is just a universal constant
- >You're sitting on a chair, one as far away from the couch as you can trying not to allow Lyra and
- Flutters to attract your attention as they pour whiskey into each other's mouths and... do things with
- their hooves. Things you're sure you'll have to clean your couch after, tomorrow
- >You've got some old movie on, volume up but the girls are making an increasing show of what they're
- doing as they become further inebriated
- >Time passes and it begins to wane, strangely. You look over and see Flutters asleep on top of Lyra
- who's still drunkenly massaging her wings, giggling and hiccuping
- >Right, time to follow the old plan-
- >"H-Hey Anon! Where... where *hic* you goin'?"
- >"Bed, Lyra."
- >"Aww great, I wanna *hic* come too!"
- >She slides out underneath Flutters and, wobbling, trails after you
- >Right, man, think fast...
- >Okay, you've got this sorted. This can't fail
- >You motion Lyra onto you bed, something that makes her blush profusely and giggle furiously at
- >She strikes a... you're sure to some p0ny it's a sexy pose but you gently turn her onto her stomach
- >"Aww... don't wanna *hic* wanna *hic* wanna *hic* look me in the... eyes?"
- >"Lyra, there's a special human custom I'm sure you don't know about."
- >As if she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol all night she spins around and grabs onto your hands, eyes
- as wide as saucers
- >"W-What is it!"
- >You nod to your dresser, opposite the bed
- >"We like to brush each other's hair. It's... uh, considered quite the erotic thing to do!"
- >She lies back down with a deep 'Oooooh', her eyes falling to half lids
- >Kneeling down next to her you take a little of her mane in your hand
- >Lyra looks up at you suddenly
- >"I... I love you, Anon. I just wanted you to know that."
- >You nod, trying to hold a smile
- >Carefully, you start to run the brush through her mane
- >Lyra coos softly, pushing herself in against the bed
- >You continue in this fashion, taking up some of her mane, brushing it, moving on to the next. You stop
- only to begin brushing it in its entirety in long, slow strokes
- >Lyra's breathing begins to slow, her soft moans turning into deep breaths
- >When you're sure she's under you scoop her up in your arms and carry her down the stairs. As best
- you can with your elbows and shoulders you open the door and deposit her just off the path
- >You creep back in and carry Flutters out, in the same fashion, placing her next to the sleeping unicorn
- >It's a warm night and there's no risk of anything happening to them. At least you didn't have to hurt
- any more feelings to get this done
- >The next few days pass by with a little difficulty. You've heard stories of Rainbow repeatedly getting
- hammered at the local watering hole, joining fights or starting them herself. If you'd hoped she was
- going to come around those hopes were now starting to fade
- >But you've got more important things to worry about -this- evening. A very special lady awaits your
- company to attend the kind of rustic celebration she'd never openly admit to enjoying
- >It's still early evening but you had hoped you might head home from the faire a little earlier than you'd
- initially planned to spend some quality time with your paramour. Yes, you felt it might be appropriate
- to start thinking of her in those kinds of terms. You're sure if you say it to her she'd -certainly- like it
- >No fancy clothing this time, you'd be surrounded by ponies you knew well and would expect to see
- you with your companion dressed down
- >This time it's a little different, the lady is waiting for you outside her home, her smile picking up by
- magnitudes when she sees you
- >"Heloo~! Oh it's wonderful to see you again!"
- >Rarity trots the rest of the way up to you and rears back on her hind legs, pulling you into a small kiss
- you're eager to return. If any man ever said these pony lips were made for anything other than to be
- kissed he was surely wrong
- >"Shall we away then?"
- >Again, that part of you wishes you could hook your arm in hers but... it's not quite as biting as it was
- before. Having Rarity pressed against your side as you hold a hand on her shoulder seems as nice a
- gesture. You feel her warm enough under your touch that you consider it so
- >The entrance to the faire is a large arch, bedecked with all sorts of summer flowers and fruit at its
- base. You eye some rather delicious looking Sweet Apple Acres produce and dearly hope a certain tan
- pony won't be in attendance to cause trouble
- >"Hmm, where should we go first?"
- >The lady scans about, her eyes never staying on one spot too long
- >"Isn't there a section for handicrafts? I think we'd both like that."
- >"Oh my, yes! You know some of Equestria's most darling curios have come right out of our little
- town!"
- >She falls into a long talk of some of the more noted sculptors and artists that have been 'discovered'
- amidst the relative obscurity of the town. Like before, it's something you may have endured out of
- politeness but now find yourself genuinely interested in her discussion
- >You might have expected it before but it's really only through listening to her that you've come to
- appreciate how much of an artist Rarity truly is. She has a keen eye, pointing out wood sculptures and
- home-made quilts, complimenting more than one pony on their stitching
- >This is nice
- >It's a thought you find yourself thinking increasingly as you spend more time with Rarity. Not 'nice' in
- a blasé sort of way, but nice in it being homely and comfortable. Nice in how much it lends happiness
- to your life here
- >You're both enjoying apple fritters when you look down to her, struck by how you could have
- overlooked saying this before
- >"Rarity?"
- >She looks up to you but continues to daintily chew the pastry
- >"Have I told you lately that I love you?"
- >The lady begins to choke and you drop your own fritter, kneeling down to try and help her. You've no
- need to as she swallows the lump in her throat, mouth now hanging agape as she stares at you
- >"Are you okay?
- >"Well I am -now-!"
- >She looks to one side before turning back to you, stars in her eyes
- >"Do you really mean that?"
- >"Would I have said it if I didn't?"
- >"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you~!"
- >She leaps, throwing her muddy forehooves over your shoulders but pulls back immediately, grinning
- sheepishly
- >"Oh... my, I'm terribly sorry, darling."
- >"It's okay. But if you wanted to make it up to me you could..."
- >"I'm sorry, what was that?"
- >"I said you could say..."
- >"Oh come now, darling, there's no need to be so shy. Speak up!"
- >"Ugh, I said you could make it up to me by saying you love me!"
- >"Oh!"
- >Her face falls blank before quickly shifting into a warm smile
- >"I do, you know. I love you."
- >You kiss her quickly, the taste of brown sugar and burnt batter still on her lips
- >"W-Well!"
- >Oh yes, it's always nice to unseat her from her throne of supposedly unshakable composure like that
- >"What shall we do now? The night is still quite young -"
- >"Like a certain white unicorn..."
- >"- and there's much we can do! And don't think you may butter me up like that! A lady would -nevergive
- in so easily to such compliments."
- >"Good..."
- >You run your hands over her withers and down her sides, sending a little shiver through her. You love
- the thrill of doing this so publicly, it's almost enough to make you shiver too
- >"I wouldn't want anything less than your best."
- >The lady continues to bit her lip for a moment longer before leaning in to whisper in your ear
- >"P-Perhaps we needn't continue out here..."
- >That's not all that bad an idea, maybe you could-
- >"O-Outta my way, flankhead!"
- >Oh dear god no! That raspy, tomboyish voice could only belong to -one- pegasus and it's one you do
- not want to meet now of all times
- >"Hey buddy... you wanna maybe... try that again?"
- >Through the crowds you can see her sauntering lazily towards you. She spots you, damn. She's zeroed
- in and now heading straight for you
- >Looks like you might have to have it out. Again
- >You would prefer to turn and flee, even if it meant hoisting Rarity over your shoulders but you know
- both that you would never hear the end of that and that she would simply magick herself out of your
- grasp before taking Dash to task
- >Which, by the set of her body, she looks quite ready to do
- >"We-well *hic* well, if it isn't my... my best bro and his li'l Rapity!"
- >Out of the corner of your eye you see the lady's cheeks darken - you'd have to be sure to stamp any
- memories of that out. She had changed, you grew more and more sure of that with each day. With each
- little touch and stolen kiss. There was something there, something you were missing that you could see
- if you had the time, something important that would lead to everything making sense
- >"How dare you, you... you little delinquent! Why, I have a sound mind to- have you been drinking?"
- >It hits you like an earth pony's charge - Dash stinks of booze. The air around her is practically moving
- with the stench
- >"Wull whut am I suppose' to do? He *hic* YOU! YOU stole H-*hic*-IM from ME!"
- >"Haugh! I did no such thing! This gentlecolt had the kindness to see past my unladylike actions and
- understand the sincerity behind them!"
- >Dash swings a hoof out, missing Rarity by more than a few feet but stumbling about. Ponies have
- begun to watch the spectacle
- >"You... You TRICKED him! He was MINE!"
- >She growls trying to lung but only succeeding in falling into the mud, picking herself up with some
- difficulty. At first it just sounds like she's spluttering mud out but you quickly understand she's begun to
- sob
- >"He doesn't -belong- to either of us! I have simply treated him as he has treated me and that is why he
- has been so good in giving me this chance."
- >"CHANCE!?"
- >You're starting to feel uncomfortable with all the eyes now upon you. You have to find some way to
- end this, if not for your sake then Rarity's
- >"What about MY CHANCE! HUH! Where's MY BUCKIN' CHANCE!"
- >"Well -perhaps- if you had seen fit to not act like-"
- >You tap your companion's shoulder gently and lean down to her
- >"Rarity, let me take care of this, why don't you go buy us some tickets for the ferris wheel. Please, let's
- not spoil our night."
- >She continues glaring at the pegasus for a few seconds longer
- >"Alright, darling, but -she- had better not think to try anything or I -will- take matters into my own
- hooves."
- >With a final stare she stalks off, ponies parting to allow her passage
- >All eyes now fall upon the two of you that remain
- >Dash watches Rarity walk off before turning her lopsided gaze upon you
- >"Well?"
- >What the hell is this?
- >"Well what?"
- >"Well... where's my *hic* chance?"
- >"Dash... tell me you're kidding. Please."
- >"What? J-Just because she's gonna... gonna buck you up *hic* doesn't mean ya have ta *hic* go off
- ALL mares... right?"
- >She's edging closer, step by step. You can't back off with the crowd that's gathered
- >"Don't do this, Dash. Not here. Just... get cleaned up and we can talk-"
- >"NO! NO! I DON'T WANNA TALK ANY MORE!"
- >She whirls about lowering her front while raising her rump high in the air, shifting her tail aside
- >"You... you can *hic* have me! Right... right now - right HERE if ya want! Any... any way ya want,
- jus' take it!"
- >She turns her head and you look into her eyes. Her rose coloured eyes - that you've always been so
- familiar with - now bloodshot and puffy. Dash backs up a few paces, raising her rump higher
- >There are no words to say to this. She's lost it, completely lost it at this stage. All you can do is just...
- walk away from all this
- >So you do
- >"Hey! HEY WHERE... WHERE YA *hic* GOIN'!"
- >The crowd parts slowly, letting you pass as Dash's voice is swallowed by it
- >"BUCKIN'... BUCKIN' COLT CUDDLER! THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE! YOU SICK BUCK! YOU
- CAN'T HANDLE THIS MARE!"
- >The sound of wingbeats, something slamming into mud, cursing, more wingbeats and then hushed
- whispers
- >You spot Rarity off by the Ferris Wheel looking back at you. Yes, the evening has been spoiled but
- maybe you can still salvage something from it
- >You stop just short of her, looking into those blue eyes. If ponies weren't still eying you, you might
- have bent down to hug her but she's had enough attention drawn to her this evening
- >"I'm sorry-"
- >"Don't be. I don't think I could ever have believed she's so far gone until I had seen it myself."
- >She lets out a breath, her body relaxing
- >"If anything I'm the one who should apologise. You know, if I had merely said nothing this might
- never have happened."
- >There's a tiny quaver to her voice and you can't blame her. She's known Rainbow longer than you
- have and while they may have had their little spats they were still friends, as close as could be
- >"And if it wasn't you it would've just been some other mare. And I... I don't want to think about that."
- >Onlookers be damned, you need to embrace the lady as much for yourself as her!
- >"Rarity, you've been a constant for me since this began. I feel like everything is just slipping away
- from me but as long as I've you there to pull me back I think... I'm sure I can get through this."
- >You feel a foreleg rise and wrap around your side and back
- >"You don't have to carry this all by yourself, you know. I told you before, if you -ever- need
- somep0ny to talk to I'm merely a stone's throw away."
- >You sniffle and wipe your eyes in her mane. You know you shouldn't but you're also sure she won't
- mind
- >"Will you make me a promise?"
- >"Of course, darling."
- >"Promise me you'll stick with me through all this."
- >"That goes without saying but I promise."
- >You give one last squeeze and stand. She looks a little brighter and you hope you do, too
- >"Ah!"
- >Rarity magicks two tickets out of... her mane? You can't help laughing a little at the spectacle
- >"What? My saddlebags are at home and I simply couldn't carry these about in my mouth!"
- >Probably because she wanted to smile. Yes, that's just what you need to see right now
- >With your spirits newly buoyed, she leads you off towards the ferris wheel. A clichéd few moments of
- intimacy perhaps but after what's happened you just want to be with her
- >The colt controlling the ferris wheel gives the two of you an odd look before waving you on. At least
- these seats are designed more with the way your body bends in mind. But you wouldn't care if you had
- to contort to fit into it, as long as you could sit next to the lady
- >She sees you looking at her and titters softly but doesn't avert her eyes this time. The wheel begins to
- move, slowly rotating with the two of you on your way up
- >"I think we should come out in the evening's more, you really look beautiful under this light."
- >"What did I say about that kind of flattery?"
- >You lean a little closer, Rarity follows suit
- >"Maybe I thought the lady would allow me to steal a kiss."
- >"And what -ever- gave you such an idea?"
- >You're just a hair's breath from her
- >"Because we love one another."
- >Your lips touch once, twice, one last time before locking. Your arm reflexively moves up to cup her
- elbow. You want this, you want her to know how much you've come to trust - come to love her
- >Eyes from below must be gazing up at the curious sight: man and pony sharing such intimacy but you
- couldn't care less in this moment. Not in this one pure moment of joy. You don't need to think about all
- that's happened before with Rarity, you feel like you can let your guard down. And... that's... it!
- >You can let your guard down because... because this is what Rarity is -like-! She is, by her nature,
- such a passionate pony. How much of all your previous misadventures were as a result of this part of
- her? This part of her that you realised you could grow to love as much as the rest of her
- >You're near the top of the wheel now, the golden light of the sun playing across her coat so beautifully.
- Perhaps this is what it's like for pegasi with their mates. If so, you envy them
- >You want to think it's the thinness of air and not bodily demands that force you to separate but in the
- end it doesn't matter. It allows you to see that joy you felt reflected in Rarity's own face
- >The lady leans close to you and you to her. Looking out over Ponyville, you're taken by the simple,
- idyllic beauty
- >Your home. Your home now that you had found someone that was worth being there with. Found
- something that had given your life in this place a real meaning beyond the simple mundanity of living
- >You're on the way back down now. The sounds of the faire flit up: laughter, shouting, hooves
- thumping on the dirt. How could you have missed, for so long, how much like your old home this is?
- >Even back there, it would be easy to run into problems as complex as this. But would it have been
- easy to find a lady like her? Somehow, you doubt such a thing could ever have been
- >"Remind me that we must come here next year."
- >"I will."
- >You reach the bottom and hop off with her. The mood has been restored but you've both had your fill
- of this place. Home it is, to reflect and enjoy the good memories
- >Little is said on the way, you merely enjoy companionable silence with your arm slipped over her
- shoulders. You love this feeling that sends shivers up and down your spine
- >At her home, she pauses and you oblige, not waiting for words but offering freely
- >You look at each other for moments longer, admiring perhaps or simply content to continue to enjoy
- the company. She makes to go off but halts, looking at you as if she's unsure
- >"Did you want to ask me in."
- >She smiles widely, the smile of one who doesn't doubt their surety
- >"I haven't forgotten what you said, darling, nor what I did. I shall know when you are ready -by- you
- and I am content to wait."
- >Her smile softens, as does her gaze
- >"I just wanted to thank you for this evening. I honestly hadn't thought it could be so enjoyable! Well...
- disregarding the... unpleasantness. But that aside I think it was nothing short of..."
- >"Magical."
- >"Yes."
- >She turns and opens the door, walking inside, pausing to look back
- >"Good night, Anon."
- >This time you don't wait until the door is closed
- >"Good night, Miss Rarity."
- >Days pass better for you, now. Advances from strange mares are becoming fewer and far between.
- You're not sure of the cause for it but you're not going to look a gift pony in the mouth. And then, those
- that do approach don't irritate you quite so much as they may once have
- >Your breaks are often spent at Rarity's, fixing up lunch for both of you and either just delighting in her
- company or fiding more hidden gems of conversation. Those that are not you try to spread out around
- other cafés and find it easier to talk to other ponies now, without those old fears and they too are more
- receptive to you
- >Another week passes before something truly out of the ordinary occurs
- >Normally all your mornings follow the same pattern. Sometimes it's broken by the arrival of your
- more determined admirers but they're also more manageable now. More often it's taken up by the
- arrival of a certain grey pegasus sporting an endearing case of strabismus
- >The friendship had been struck up out of a shared characteristic: both of you knowing what it's like to
- be considered an oddity within the community. But where she had long since found acceptance you had
- only just been offered it and she had been at the fore of it. Sometimes she'd just stop by to chat, at
- others she'd dig around her mailbags pulling out a muffin to share. You had high hopes you could
- cultivate a good friendship from this
- >But this morning is different, she has mail for you; it's been something of an oddity, considering few,
- if any, p0nies would ever need or want to write you but then there has to be a first for everything
- >You accept it, noting the familiar seal and seeing the look on your face Derpy doesn't delay
- >Yes, a cloud and bolt seal
- >You don't think to open it before stepping out. Don't think to putting it down even, you just need to...
- walk this off
- >After what she did at the faire... you're not sure how to feel about her. Hurt and angry yes but can you
- really keep that up?
- >Without thinking you find yourself outside the Carousel Boutique
- >Thinking this as good a place as any to seek counsel you enter, the tinkling of the bells over the door
- doing only a little to soothe your nerves. They do, after all, signal that you're entering a place you've
- come to associate with comfort and kindness
- >"Good mo~rning! And welcome to- Anon! Oh you must come in, I have simply the most exciting
- news!"
- >She stops in her tracks upon getting a good look at you and what you hold in your hand. Her eyes
- move from it to your face and back
- >"What's wrong? Has... has something happened?"
- >You walk in, keeping a measured pace and sit down on the couch as you have so many times in the
- days since the faire. Rarity trots smartly behind, hopping up beside you and snuggling in. Once more,
- you're glad to have her and to have her so near
- >"Recognise the seal?"
- >You hold up the missive and the lady inhales sharply. She continues looking at it for a moment longer
- before letting her breath out
- >"She took the time to write you, darling, I suppose the least you can do is read it."
- >And so you do, cracking open the seal and removing the letter inside. It's... surprisingly short
- >In Dash's usual scrawl she's penned out how sorry she is for what's happened, she was confused and
- turned to booze and lashed out at you. And Rarity, she's sorry for what she did to her. She begs for a
- chance to call by your house tomorrow and that you won't turn her away
- >Your hands are shaking by the time you finish. A part of you had hoped that she might see sense but
- even now you couldn't help but doubt, after all that happened
- >Rarity raises a hoof and places it against your hand, steadying it
- >"What are you going to do?"
- >She's looking at you plainly, neither judging nor expecting. You'd much prefer if she just told you
- >"What can I do?"
- >"You could give her the chance. You could forgive her, as you forgave me."
- >"I thought I said-"
- >"I know but I also know you don't want to lose her. Please don't deny it, I've seen how you look out at
- her cloud home some evenings. And please don't think I judge you for it."
- >She tempers your guilt with a smile, the hoof has moved up to hold your shoulder
- >"No matter what you say she's still important, to both of us."
- >You let out a shuddering breath you weren't aware you'd been holding
- >"Alright. Alright, I'll give her this chance. But Rarity, this is the last time I can do it. If she throws this
- in my face I... I..."
- >The lady presses herself to you and you just... let go, once more. You have Rarity, no matter what may
- come you'll have her. You just have to remember this constant
- >Together you sit, gathering yourself together when you recall what she'd said
- >"I think I could do with a little good news."
- >"Hmm? Oh."
- >She leaps off the couch and trots up the stairs. The sound of rummaging follows then more trotting
- and down she comes levitating a rather expensive sheet of paper
- >Rarity levitates it over to you and you read
- >It's a letter from the Manehatten city council, she's been invited to display her newest creations for
- stallions, next month, at their Midsummer Fashion Week
- >Rainbow is forgotten as you throw your arms around her, and she you
- >"I'm so proud of you!"
- >"Can you believe it? Manehatten!"
- >Her grip slackens, just a tad
- >"Manehatten..."
- >You pull back
- >"Are you alright? Is something-"
- >"No, no, it's fine. I just recalled something... unrelated. We mustn't let it get us down."
- >But when she smiles you're sure you can see the tiny bit of strain behind it
- >She doesn't detain you longer, insisting she must get to work right away on outfits she can proudly
- display there
- >You depart, feeling torn between hopeful, concerned and weary
- >Time would bring all to light, you still hoped
- Chapter 5
- >Work has been better. Then again, days in general have been better than this one. You can't help but
- feel like Damocles, with Dash's visit later to expect
- >You still have no idea what you're going to do - shout at her most likely, she humiliated you, Rarity
- and herself that day at the faire. She's made this whole thing as difficult as possible ever since you and
- Rarity came together. So you want to shout at her, to scream and let all the anger you've held against
- her out
- >You want to but wanting and being able to are oft so different. Every time you think of actually seeing
- her and seeing her sober and willing to make amends you instead want to put it all behind you, like
- some bad dream and just allow things to get back to normal
- >You've even worked on a little later at the library, trying to put it off as long as possible but you can't
- do it any longer. If only Dash had allowed you to pick an appropriate time instead of foisting it upon
- you
- >Coming up to your home you spot her easily, she's sitting on the doorstep but stands upon seeing you.
- It almost looks like she's wearing saddlebags but you can't imagine why
- >Reaching the house you... you don't know what to do. Dash just stands in front of you, not looking
- you in the eye but not looking happy either
- >"Dude, I..."
- >She falters, lowering her head further
- >"I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry for everything I did."
- >She looks up, you nod
- >"I-It was wrong but I was just so confused! I couldn't understand and I felt so hurt and thought you
- wouldn't even want me any more!"
- >And there goes your anger, slipping away to be replaced by - if not hope then relief
- >"Dash, no matter who comes or goes in my life I'd still want us to be friends."
- >She winces at that last word. Obviously it's still going to take some time for her to fully get over her
- position
- >"I know... and... I want that too... and... and I'm glad you and... Rarity are happy..."
- >Alright then. She sounds sincere enough
- >"Listen, I know things have been tough but... d'ya think I could come in? Maybe we could... watch a
- few movies like we used to?"
- >You smile and nod, opening the door. Maybe this could be the first step on the road back to having her
- in your life
- >You can't offer her a drink, seeing as you've run out some time ago and haven't cared to restock
- >But that matter seems to have been taken care of as you return from the kitchen to see Dash lifting
- bottle after bottle out of her saddlebags
- >"Dash..."
- >"Hey, it's okay! You don't have to drink but you know there's no other way I can watch a movie."
- >Right. Fine. You sit down on the couch, flicking on the TV with the remote and Dash settles next to
- you
- >A part of you would prefer if she didn't sit this close, especially after all that's happened but you're not
- going to cause an argument now
- >Dash settles into drinking. Quite a bit more than you would have expected or maybe it's just that with
- you drinking with her before you never noticed how much she really drank
- >Near the third quarter of the movie she's leaning heavily against you. You're uncomfortable but
- determined not to kick up a fuss
- >That is, until you feel a hoof start to lazily trail against your chest
- >"Dash, what are you-"
- >"Shhhh! Just... enjoy it."
- >The hoof moves down quickly, fumbling at your belt and zipper before the other is brought up to
- assist
- >"Dash! Stop that!"
- >You go to brush her hooves away but she bats at your hand, lowering her muzzle to catch the zipper in
- her teeth
- >"Dash!"
- >You jump off the couch, the mare falling onto where you'd just been sitting
- >"Buck it! What's wrong now?!"
- >She's giving you the most irritated look you've seen her put on in a long time. Doesn't she realise
- what... ah, that's probably why she was drinking
- >"Just what in the hell were you doing?"
- >"Well gee, maybe if you were drunk too it woulda helped? It worked pretty well for AJ."
- >She puts on some sickening drunken smile and bedroom eyes, patting the couch
- >"C'mon, I'll getcha a drink and we can have some fun!"
- >"Damnit, Dash, what about your apology! What was that?"
- >"Augh, it's like you don't get it! I -had- to say that to get in here, duh! But now we're here I can -showyou
- what I've been talking about."
- >No. No you can -not- deal with this shit any more
- >"Listen, I don't care what you say or what you do, I will never bed down with you, do you
- understand? And frankly, I don't think I even want us to be friends if this is how it's going to be."
- >Dash just looks at you, wide-eyed for a moment before throwing her hooves up
- >"FINE! I-If that's how you -want- it then... then..."
- >She starts sobbing suddenly, face slowly lowering onto the couch
- >"I... I still want you... why... why don't you... don't you care..."
- >Her voice trails off as she buries her head in cushions, weeping loudly
- >You're done here. You've had enough, you're going to bed
- >Sleep comes with some difficulty, the sounds of Dash loudly sobbing no doubt playing a part in that.
- She's had her last chance, so now you're just going to have to turf her out. You don't want to, you
- -really- don't want to but if she's just going to be like this from now on you can't keep doing this
- >You awaken to... aw fuck, this is one serious case of morning wood. You groan, trying to shift but...
- can't? You try again, only to feel like something is on top of you. Is that giggling?
- >Yes, there's a lump in your bed. You're definitely not that big - just have to throw back and the covers
- and-
- >It's Dash. She's got your member out through the slit of you boxers, licking at it and giggling. Feeling
- the covers off her she looks up, smiling
- >"See? Told ya I could make ya feel good!"
- >With every ounce of strength in your body you throw your legs up, sending Dash into the air with a
- yelp. Quickly righting your boxers you stand to confront her
- >"Get out!"
- >"What? Dude, you can see right there-"
- >"I said get fucking out! I don't want to see you any more!"
- >Her mouth falls open, she works it silently, staring at you
- >"You're no better than Flutters or AJ! Get the fuck out and don't you ever come near me again!"
- >She continues to stand there, her eyes having grown larger. You grab the clock from your bedside
- locker and toss it at the wall near her. Dash yelps and turns tail, running off down the stairs. The last
- sound you hear before the door is thrown open is a loud wail
- >You fall back onto the bed, feeling drained. Dash's ham-fisted attempts to separate you and Rarity you
- could understand, in a way. But this? This was exactly the kind of thing she'd spent years protecting
- you from
- >You're too shocked to do anything more than just sit, staring at the ground, wondering how it could
- have come to this
- >Things start to slowly fall apart after that. You see Rarity after, explaining what's happened. She tells
- you Dash came to her, telling her you forced yourself on her but when she was unwilling to believe
- Dash started tearing the place up. In fact, she was still setting everything aright when you got there. But
- Rarity is still off, you can see it
- >She still doesn't tell you why but this is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks you see neither
- hide nor hair of Dash and oddly AJ but Flutters makes a couple of attempts. All through this Rarity has
- become increasingly agitated, making mistakes on orders she'd normally become furious over missing,
- snapping at her friends and even you while at other times breaking down without reason
- >It's a week before the fashion show when it comes to a head and you've had enough. She's lying in
- your arms, not sobbing or weeping but just wanting some comfort
- >"Rarity, this can't go on. Can't you please just tell me? Why do you feel like you have to carry this
- yourself?"
- >The lady sniffs, tightening her grip on you before relaxing, taking a deep breath and looking you in
- the eyes
- >"Do you recall when you asked about my childhood in Manehatten?"
- >You nod, "You said you didn't want to talk about... it... That's why you're worried about going back,
- isnt' it?"
- >She nods, takes another deep breath
- >"You see... when I was still very young..."
- >She falters and you squeeze her. "It's alright, just take your time."
- >"When I lived in Manehatten it wasn't a terribly happy time in my life. My parents... well, they were
- at odds, to say the least. My father, he was a wicked, cruel stallion who..."
- >Rarity stops momentarily, raising a hoof to wipe at her eye. You rub her back gently, still keeping her
- close
- >"He would... oh, he would do terrible things to mother. He... he worked a miserable job and... and I
- think he took his frustrations out upon her..."
- >She stops again, breathing soft, shuddering breaths
- >"If you want to stop..."
- >"No. No these are things you... you have to know about me."
- >"Alright. But remember you don't have to say anything you don't want."
- >She pushes her head in against you for a moment
- >"Most evenings it was the same. He would arrive home angry, mother would try to keep things calm
- but he would just... he'd... she never did anything wrong!"
- >The lady halts, sobbing against you. You say nothing just stroking her mane and back, being sure to
- keep her as close as you can. With time she quietens and begins once more
- >"Well... I think it became too much for her because when I awoke one morning she... she was just
- gone. My father was furious. He... well he said it was -my- fault, that I had been difficult and... and that
- she didn't love me..."
- >More steadying breaths, she rearranges herself with her back to you, head against your chest, sitting
- into your lap
- >"Things became more difficult for us... for me, after that. I would try to hide from him in the evenings
- but he'd find me and... and..."
- >She breaks down once more, turning to push her face into your chest
- >She weeps softly for some time, your shirt becoming wet with her tears but you just hold her, letting
- her get it out
- >"He would... he did things to me... horrible, horrible things... he'd whisper 'Now you listen to me
- Rarity, your mother never gave me what I'...
- >The lady whines, hitting the couch next to you
- >"... 'what I wanted but you'll be different, I'll show you how'... 'how to treat a stallion'."
- >Dear god. There had been a few possibilities running through your mind when she'd told you her
- childhood was bad but to think that her father would do something like that. That anyone could so that
- to such a sweet pony...
- >"Rarity, I'm so, so..."
- >"No, please, I'm alright. I... I've been through the counseling and I've come to terms with it... as best I
- can. Please, you must let me continue. It... it's the only way you'll understand."
- >She looking at you with moistened eyes and you know you cannot deny her
- >"You remember the story of how I got my cutie mark?"
- >You nod, you'd indeed heard the various tales from the girls
- >"Well my father... he wasn't one bit pleased. He... he demanded to know how I would ever find a
- suitable... mate working in fashion."
- >"With mother gone the house... I was the only one who cleaned but it wasn't enough. My father
- would... he'd come home drunken and even more violent as the days... passed. He would smash our
- things and... and track dirt everywhere..."
- >Another breath, she seems to be getting herself more under control
- >"Eventually I... I just had to leave. I took what few bits and clothing I could and set out onto the
- streets, I didn't care where I went anywhere was better than that."
- >Yes, she's definitely better now
- >"You've met my parents haven't you? When they've dropped... my dear, sweet sister Sweetie Belle
- off? Well that's how I met them. They... they found me on the streets, took me in, cared for me - they
- loved me."
- >A tiny, tiny smile is forming on her lips
- >"They informed the authorities but my father had left the city and my mother... she couldn't be found."
- >"So they... they kept me. As their daughter. They supported me in developing my talent, they took
- every bit they could and used it to give me the best education I could have. They taught me what -truegenerosity
- is."
- >She sniffs once, but the smile doesn't waver
- >"But I think they knew how much I disliked the city. A few years later we moved to Ponyville and...
- I've been here since! Nop0ny here knows my... history and they've all been so terribly good to me."
- >She takes a breath, a clear, steady one
- >"And that's my story. I hope... I -hope- you don't think any less of me, darling."
- >You ponder her words for moments longer. You had been right
- >"So when we were... you know..."
- >"I was confused. I saw that you were what I wanted but you were so... so disinterested! So I thought...
- maybe... perhaps my father..."
- >"No."
- >You pull her close, kissing her mane gently
- >"I've had many, many ponies lust after me, Anon. They only wanted me for -what- I am but you... I
- know you don't."
- >"And I know you feel the same, don't you?"
- >She nods
- >"When you arrived you looked so... exotic. Initially, I did just want you because you were different
- but when I saw that you had no interest but still treated me politely I knew you weren't like the others. I
- only wish I had learned to be patient as long ago..."
- >"None of that. We're together -now- and you don't need to worry about that."
- >You stay like that for some time, not talking, not needing to. The air between you has been cleared,
- you can feel it
- >"Would you like me to go to Manehatten with you?"
- >She gasps
- >"Would you?"
- >"If it'd make you feel better I would. And..."
- >You're glad she can't see your blush
- >"I think I'd like to spend some time alone. Just us."
- >The week leading up to the trip to Manehatten is filled with the kind of excited energy you'd never felt
- before here. Rarity called the hotel she's staying in requesting a change of rooms - assuring you it was a
- twin room, not double - and you honestly still weren't sure if anything would even happen between
- you. But that was okay, wasn't it? She'd said she was willing to wait so you didn't need to force
- anything
- >Still, it would be nice to get away from everything here and see the city. No AJ, no Flutters... no Dash.
- It still pained you to have to add her to that list but she'd made her bed, she could lie in it now.
- >And then comes the train ride to the city. Thankfully you'd found a carriage to share with the lady and
- had spent the time up on idle chat about the upcoming fashion show. She definitely appeared much
- more at ease than previously, something you're glad to have been able to help with
- >Manehatten... it was so unlike the rustic charm of Ponyville. Oh you'd been to some of Equestria's
- cities but had never had reason to come to this bustling metropolis. In fact, it was almost like being
- back home on Earth, back in an industrialised city once more
- >"Well, shall we go to our hotel? The show doesn't start until tomorrow so we can use a little of our
- time to see the city, if you'd like that."
- >"As long as I can enjoy your company doing so I would."
- >With spirits high you both set off, most gawkers at the odd sight lost in the bustle. You like that, not
- feeling quite so much like an outsider
- >You'd been to Canterlot and you'd even seen the interiors of some of the hotels but you were still
- floored upon entering the Sky High. Such opulence would well have belonged in the decadent Art Deco
- themes of the nineteen thirties, with high walls of brass and intricately patterned, lacquered walls
- adorning every step of its interior
- >But then, thinking on it, you realise this is so suitably... Rarity. Beauty wherever one looks, with it
- being easy to simply scan over it and miss the tiny details that give it its character. The lady sees you
- looking about and smiles up to you, no doubt enjoying how overwhelmed you are
- >"Magnificent, isn't it?"
- >You can only nod in response, still looking around now at the ponies bedecked in wearable
- ornaments. Mares and stallions equally displaying their wealth and taste
- >The receptionist passes the two of you an odd look, it's easy to forget a pony and a human travelling
- together must look an odd sight. Still, it's good to see how she doesn't react too strongly to being told
- you're staying in a twin room. Perhaps Manehatten has been home to stranger things, you wonder
- >Even the bell hop that takes your bags wears a uniform of black and gold, stitching swirling with tiny
- intracicies about the cuffs and lapels
- >And then the room itself... it's larger than you would have thought but then everything about this place
- gives that feeling of challenging your preconceptions of what should be
- >Rarity immediately leaps onto one of the beds, sighing at how she sinks into the soft mattress
- >"Oh darling, you simply must sample the bed! It's to die for!"
- >She sits up and beckons you over and when you sit... oh yes, you can feel the smoothness of the
- cotton and the softness of the mattress alright. You could almost...
- >You're yanked, suddenly onto your back and from there pulled onto your side. The bed is just about
- large enough for the lady to squeeze up against you, smiling devilishly
- >"You know, I think I'd much rather have my company enjoyed right here."
- >You smirk, kissing her lightly
- >"So much for the city, then."
- >"Oh but darling, we have all evening to see it. And besides... there are far more interesting sights to be
- seen where we are."
- >And with that she leans in to kiss you more fully. In the time since the faire you'd definitely allowed
- yourself to become more intimate with Rarity, so far as to allowing your hand to wander down to her
- hip and pull her close to yourself
- >She gasps, looking down, then up but quickly returns to locking lips with you, eager to enjoy this
- newfound closeness. Your hand wends its way over her hip, to just above her rump, along up her back
- and lost in the sweet softness of her mane. Her own hooves are as eager, if a little more adventurous in
- brushing against your rear, onto your hip and settling to swirl against your chest
- >The lady pulls off from you, still grinning
- >"You are a horrible tease, tempting a lady like this!"
- >"Would you prefer I kept my hands to myself?"
- >She flips herself around, cuddling back against you, your hands settling against her chest as her
- hooves hold them there
- >"You know, I don't think I could -ever- have imagined how... sensuous they could be."
- >It pains you slightly, hearing that, to know that you must still keep her waiting. She's never made an
- indication that she's frustrated but it can't be easy for her
- >"And I promise that soon you'll see for yourself just how gentle their touch can be."
- >She sighs pleasantly, scooching closer
- >"Perhaps we shan't venture into the city this evening. It is a wonderful place but... I much prefer it
- here."
- >You hum in response, leaning your head down against hers
- >In time you both have to get up and, much to Rarity's delight, slip on some formal clothing for your
- dinner in the hotel. Yes, now decked out in your suit you feel much less out place, though not for want
- of the excited whispers that pass between ponies upon seeing you. Perhaps it is that they recognise the
- clothing that inspired the lady's latest line
- >Certainly, Rarity doesn't at all mind the extra attention, preening herself and offering little utterances
- and thanks to whoever stops her and compliments her on her talent. It's actually rather nice to see
- Rarity in her natural light like this, so at home amongst the higher class ponies
- >The dinner itself is... well, you still haven't gotten used to haute cuisine but it doesn't really matter, so
- long as -she- shares it with you. Increasingly you're finding a homeliness to these occasions. More and
- more it just feels right
- >You both retire for the night to your respective beds. Though while you lie awake, waiting for sleep to
- come you hear an odd noise. It's a light shuffling followed by a few little squeaks and it's... coming
- from across the room
- >"Rarity? Are you okay?"
- >There's a slight pause before you get a response
- >"Yes, yes, quite so. Don't worry."
- >She sounds slightly breathless but you decide not to force the issue. She still has a heart that beats and
- it would be unfair to expect her to hold her desires that closely in check. She is, after all, not doing any
- harm. Beyond perhaps exciting you, just a little...
- >Morning comes and with it Rarity is gone from the room but you expect that. Without doubt she's off,
- involved in the preparations for later today, ensuring the suits she's made have all been unpacked safely
- and that the location's lighting and other accouterments are all suitable for her wares
- >You decide to take a little stroll about the city to pass the time until the evening
- >You've made sure to wear a suit, so as to better meld into the crowds. Even if you do stand over them
- for the most part. The city is awash with theatres, cafés, art galleries and all manner of other venues of
- culture. You do feel Rarity's absence but there's no reason you can't peruse a few of the locations by
- yourself
- >In fact, a walk through a museum provides a few interesting points for discussion with her at a later
- time. You would have to remember to bring her here when you get the chance, she would love many of
- the sculptures you're sure
- >A small café offers the chance for something filling to eat without feeling like you're paying more for
- the plate than the food but as the day wears on you find the time to attend the show at the town hall
- approaching
- >And yes, the lady is waiting for you, sporting one of her favourite creations herself before leading you
- inside. While this was your first time attending a fashion show you were curious to see what passed for
- pony fashion from other designers. Whether it would be as outlandish as some of the things you might
- see back on Earth
- >You're seated next to her, a hand upon her shoulder reassuring. The lights dim, the music starts and
- now all her work will finally be put to judgment
- >From the left of the stage appears a well built stallion. The catwalk lights up and he confidently
- strides down it. He's sporting a light creme jacket, matching waistcoat and shirt, as well as a small
- cravat at his neck. No trousers though, perhaps she had decided against it or they would be shown by
- other models
- >Hushed whispers rise from around you and Rarity raises a hoof to tap against you. You take it in your
- hand, holding it tightly
- >Next is another stallion, featuring a more casual suit with pants though they bear a much different cut
- than you would have expected. The rump isn't quite as tight as you'd feared and his tail flows perfectly
- from the small slit cut into them
- >The whispers rise in volume slight, Rarity presses against you
- >The show proceeds like that, moving from suits to more casual blazers and sportcoats in a range of
- fabrics and colours, all following your own recommendations to varying degrees. Each stallion walks
- down as stone-faced as the last, none showing any signs of discomfort or otherwise having difficulty in
- these new clothing types
- >As the final model exits from the stage there's a pregnant pause. the whispers have stopped but you
- can feel tension in the air and then... thunderous clopping of hooves upon the floors. Congratulations
- are called out as the models begin their last walk as one
- >The lady sags against you, letting out a breath, your grip on her hoof loosening. Yes, you'd been as
- nervous about this as she, but you may well not have been, given her long standing reputation
- >For the next two days her creations are featured and each time they're met with delight. Even the more
- casual jumpers, shirts and such have stallions crowding to her after the show enquiring about where
- ever she got such fabulous and novel designs and would she be splitting her career evenly between
- mare and stallion fashion now
- >You're happy to sit back and allow the lady to enjoy the limelight, that night she being called away by
- Hoity Toity himself as well as Spring Rains, proudly sporting his new suit
- >Rarity informs you that she'll be some time talking business here, why don't you get a drink back at
- the bar. Which you do, eager to be away from the close stuffiness of the building
- >Even here, ponies discuss the new designs on show, dissenting opinions abound but most in
- agreement that this could spark a new trend in male fashion
- >You're seated on a barstool, sipping some whiskey when a voice comes from behind and to your side
- >"Hey friend, mind if my buddy here and I join you?"
- >You turn to see two earth pony stallions standing behind you, smiling. You nod and motion to the
- barstools next to you
- >"Great."
- >He proffers a hoof
- >"Name's Aether and this here's Wuten."
- >"Hey."
- >You take his hoof shaking it. "Anon."
- >"So you're the human, huh? Seen you around that fashion designer from Ponyville, uh..."
- >"Rarity."
- >"Oh thanks, don't gimme a second to remember."
- >His friend smirks and turns to the barcolt, making his order
- >"Yeah, anyway, we were curious, wanted to know if you two are, uh..."
- >"He wants to know if you're treating her like a real lady."
- >Wuten smirks once more, now trying to cover it by the glass
- >"Yeah! Thanks! What are you, some kind of joker? Anyway... are ya?"
- >He looks surprisingly eager, definitely not the kind of reaction you might have imagined
- >"Don'tcha think that's kind of a personal question?"
- >He chortles loudly, eying his drink before setting it back down
- >"Hey, hey! I'm just tryin' to offer a little advice here. Look, if she's the kind of lady who doesn't mind
- you're a human then ya can't mess her around."
- >Wuten turns to you, nodding
- >"He's right. We've seen how she's been looking at you and it isn't a secret that she'd like to get
- between the sheets."
- >You take another sip of the whiskey, enjoying the bitterness. They do have a point, you can't keep her
- waiting forever but you know you're not ready to go the whole hog
- >"I appreciate the advice but... I was hoping to hold off a little longer."
- >"Whoah, whoah! We're not -telling- you to do anything, just saying maybe you should throw her a
- bone, right?"
- >Wuten smirks, tapping his friend's shoulder before whispering in his ear
- >"Darn, sorry, didn't mean to uh, imply anything there."
- >"Hey Aether? Think we should be going? Vinyl's gonna be pissed if you're late."
- >Aether snorts, taking the last of his drink in a single draught
- >"Yeah, she's got a temper but you know that's why I love 'er."
- >"And you-"
- >Wuten jabs at hoof in your direction
- >"Remember what we said alright?"
- >You nod dutifully, watching as they depart laughing and talking
- >Night falls and with it you retire to your bedroom with Rarity. She's tucked herself in and lying
- quietly when you look over the situation. Aether and Wuten had been right, while you needn't force
- yourself into something you weren't ready for you could give the lady something you knew she'd enjoy.
- Something inspired by your little romp the first day you arrived
- >Tiptoeing, you move the locker between the beds out into the middle of the floor and then to one side.
- The bed itself... doesn't look too heavy, being made to accommodate a little more than a grown pony's
- size but thankfully still leaving you enough room that you didn't need to bunch your legs up too much
- >You take one side of it and give it a push. It's on legs and not casters but the floor isn't wood so it
- doesn't make too much noise. Still, Rarity stirs from her bed and looks back
- >"Anon? W-What are you doing?"
- >"Taking matters in charge."
- >You grunt and give another push, another few inches secured. And again. And again, until the beds are
- pressed neatly together, the clothes drawn up across the other. Rarity hasn't stopped looking at you the
- whole time but now seeing what you meant a small smile touches her
- >"You don't have to-"
- >"I -want- to."
- >And without another word you slip in under the covers and shuffle over to her, feeling the soft warmth
- of her body press against your own. She gasps as you slip your arms around her chest
- >"I want to give you something, Rarity. I still can't give you what you want yet but consider this
- another step closer to that."
- >She squeals lightly, pushing herself back against you and holding your arms tightly. Yes, it's nice. It's
- the first time you've felt her coat against your skin and the sensation sends shivers down your spine.
- Touching her with your hands had never truly done justice to the care she took of herself
- >You settle with her head cupped in against you when that familiar shuffling noise starts up again,
- followed by a little grunt. You can feel... her legs moving, tapping back against your knees
- >"Rarity?"
- >It stops suddenly, you feel her body tense up. Silence follows and then a sniff
- >"I... I'm sorry, darling."
- >Her head lowers, the lady curling into herself
- >"I... I've let you down, I know, but-"
- >You lean down and kiss her mane as you've done so many times before. And as you'd hoped it stops
- her dead in her tracks, no sniffling, the tension easing slightly
- >"I knew what you were doing before this, you know. It'd be unfair of me to deny you some bit of
- comfort so... you do whatever you need to, I promise I don't mind."
- >Deep breaths, her body unfurls, pressed back against you
- >"Are... are you sure?"
- >"Well... I hope -you- don't think less of me for saying this but... I kind of enjoy the thought of it."
- >Another gasp, then 'Oooh'
- >"You have -such- a filthy mind! Luckily we're rather evenly matched."
- >You say no more, only hug her tightly as she resumes her gentle ministrations, held in the arms of the
- one she loved, who loved her
- >The next day greets both of you freshly, Rarity back in her usual high spirits and rearing to attend to
- the rest of the week. Which goes as well as you'd hoped. A few of the other designers from across the
- land must have gotten wind of her new line as there were more than a few trying to copy her style, with
- varying levels of success
- >And each night you would find yourself in that bed with her, holding her. By the last night, however,
- she seemed returned to her pensiveness. Turns out she thinks this is just something you're doing while
- you're away together here and she's not keen on returning to the status quo on going back to Ponyville
- >You don't need to consider your response before you tell her it doesn't have to end. There's nothing
- saying she can't spend a night at your place or you at hers if either of you should desire it. You've been
- enjoying this as much as her and you, too, would like to see to it continuing
- >So it is with this renewed vigor to your relationship that you step on to the train to your home, a little
- reluctant to leave the sophistication and familiarity of the city but glad nonetheless to be returning to
- the quiet town, to ponies who knew you and the comfort of routine
- >For the next couple of days back in Ponyville life returns to its previous cheer. The first night back
- Rarity invites you to her home after an evening at the lake, something you're more than happy to oblige
- with
- >Twilight, looking a little disappointed at the time, enquires as to your week away and... have you
- patched things up with Rainbow Dash yet?
- >Well no, you explain what she did at your house but Twi doesn't react too strongly. She might have
- expected that kind of behavior, even if she didn't like admitting it. She still held out hope that Dash
- would see sense but you knew that if such a thing was even possible any more it would still be some
- time
- >You're seated at your table, eating breakfast one morning when a familiar knock comes from the door.
- With the beating of wings you assume its Derpy, so often does she remain in flight when on a busy
- route
- >Opening it-
- >A blur throws you onto your back, something pressed to your mouth. It's a cloth, bearing a horrific
- chemical smell. Winded from the fall, you breath in before realising what you're doing
- >The last thing you see before unconsciousness claims you is a blue face smirking down at you...
- >Wake.
- >You're awake. You think you are. It's hard to think through the haze of confusion and the pain that's
- lancing through your skull. You try to open your eyes and are greeted by harsh, glaring light. You shut
- them immediately, groaning softly
- >"Oh! You're awake!"
- >Who is that? The fog is slowly starting to lift from your mind but the pain is slower to subside. You're
- sure you know the voice but... you just can't place it. It's a little raspy... definitely female...
- >"Great! This is so awesome! I was afraid I used too much but at least it let me get ya back here okay."
- >Christ, you wish she'd shut up for a second, just let this pain clear and then you can try to say
- something. Maybe if you just rub your head you- wait, why can't you move your arms? You still feel
- weak but you can't even lift your hand
- >"Huh? Oh don't worry, I tied ya up 'cause I know ya like it kinda rough, right?"
- >Hang on... she tied you up? Why would she do that? You try to speak, to ask what's going on but all
- that comes out is a croak
- >"Hey, try to relax, okay? I... think it'll take a while for that stuff to wear off."
- >Maybe... maybe you can. Maybe if you just rest for a bit you can get your strength back. The pain
- wears as you allow sleep to claim you...
- >You come to once more, this time feeling much better. You're sure you can move your- wait, why can't
- you move?
- >Your eyes snap open to see soft light coming in a window above and to your left. You swing your
- head to the side - your hand is tied up to... it looks like the side of a bed. Just what the hell is going on!
- >"Hey..."
- >Your throat still feels strained but you can speak, you think
- >"Hey... anyone there?"
- >Movement, the sound of soft clopping and- a blue face looking down at you smiling
- >"Welcome back, dude!"
- >This... this almost looks like...
- >"Rain... bow?"
- >The head nods quickly
- >"Glad to see your memory is still okay! So... whaddaya think? Neat huh?"
- >"What... what's happening?"
- >She giggles, it unsettles you. Why is she giggling with you tied up? Why isn't she helping you?
- >"Aww, c'mon dude, isn't it obvious? I finally figured it out!"
- >You shake your head blearily, things are starting to come back to you. You were knocked out... now
- you're here. Someone abducted you? Maybe AJ?
- >"Rain... Rainbow you've... gotta untie me..."
- >The face frowns heavily, looking you over
- >"But... why would I want to do that? Oh! You're just getting into it! Cool!"
- >She giggles again, this is starting to become too much. Why isn't she helping you!
- >"Dash... please let me out..."
- >"Mmmm..."
- >You feel something press against your chest - your bare chest, you realise. That would explain the
- cool air against your skin you've been feeling
- >"Nope! Don't worry, I'm gonna play along all the way!"
- >She waggles her eyebrows, you feel your chest tighten and your breathing speed up
- >"Dash, this isn't funny, cut me loose."
- >You feel a weight settle over your lower body. No, it's okay, you can't feel whatever it is against your
- bare skin this time
- >"Aw yeah, keep it up! You're really gettin' me goin' Anon!"
- >You feel her hooves press against your sides. You try to move your arms again but still nothing. You
- kick your legs out - or try to, they're obviously tied down too. But you can feel straps binding just
- above your knees, you can't even move your upper legs to push her!
- >"Dash! Dash! C'mon, what are you doing?"
- >"Whadda ya think? Giving you what you've wanted from me all along!"
- >You feel... something bumping against your pelvis. Rainbow's head is still above you, her eyes are
- closed and she's whispering something
- >She stops suddenly, looking back
- >"Shoot! Hang on, dude, I gotta check this."
- >The weight lifts from you and there's clopping away from the bed. The clopping retreats... sounds like
- upwards until you hear it above your head. It stops, there's a creak, a pause and the clopping starts back
- >It's coming closer now, back down
- >Her face is over yours again now, the smile gone, she looks worried
- >"Hey... uh, listen I gotta cut this short today. I think somep0ny's watchin' me but I'll be back! We'll
- start again tomorrow 'kay?"
- >"Dash, no! Wait!"
- >The clopping recedes once more. No more voice, no face, just you. You struggle against the bindings
- but they won't give. You stop, trying to think of something, anything
- >You start calling out, roaring for help but your voice falls hoarse without a sound from above and the
- light waning
- >Jesus, what the hell is going on. You were knocked out, you're tied up now, Rainbow is apparently
- gone insane and... oh no. No, she didn't. She -couldn't-. You struggle against your bindings anew but it's
- useless, they're tied tight. You begin to sob, the full reality of your situation finally sinking in. She'd get
- what she wanted and you couldn't do a damn thing about it. She's won.
- >Sometime thereafter you'd worn yourself out and fallen asleep. The light streaming through the
- window wakes you and for a few moments you think how nice it is to wake up to such a beautiful day.
- Trying to move brings you back to where you are and what's happening
- >You feel a little better, rested, so you pull against your bindings. You throw every ounce of strength
- you have into the effort but... nothing. Your breathing ramps up. You -have- to find some way out, you
- can't just let it end like this. Your mind rebels, screaming at you that there -is- no way out. Short of
- Dash spontaneously coming to her senses and letting you go, you're fucked. Literally
- >Clopping from above. It moves over the ceiling then... yes, it's coming over
- >"Hello? Hey, help me! I'm tied up!"
- >"Morning, Anon!"
- >Oh no. It's her. You don't want it to be her, you want to wake up. Wake up and just let this all be some
- nightmare
- >She sighs, settling over you, or so you're sure from the familiar weight
- >"So... how're ya feeling today?"
- >"Fuck sake, Dash, let me go!"
- >"Aww but I can't. Not until we've had some fun!"
- >That giggle. Only now do you see how constricted her pupils are. You throw your head forward,
- missing her by inches
- >"Whoah, dude! I didn't know ya liked it -that- rough!"
- >A hoof presses against your pants and... just like that they're pulled down. She must have undone them
- before. The hoof starts rubbing against your genitals, with no effect
- >"Aww, c'mon, Anon, ya can't have stage fright on me."
- >"Fuck you!"
- >"That's the spirit!"
- >The hoof starts rubbing harder, still eliciting little response. She grunts, face contorting into frustration
- before she grins wildly again
- >"Pfft, whatever, guess I'll just move on to the main event!"
- >You feel the weight resettle and something... something wet and warm presses against your member.
- It's almost... like...
- >"Mmm, now we're havin' fun, right?"
- >She giggles again, kissing at your neck. The sensation makes your stomach rise into your throat
- >"Hmm, dude, you've no idea how much I've -wanted- this! Augh, it just... just feels so -good- ya
- know?"
- >The hooves reach down and start rubbing at your sides, Dash increases her rubbing, bumping against
- you now and again
- >"Heh, what am I saying, of course ya do! You've just been... testing me, right? Like with AJ and
- Flutters and..."
- >She stops, eyes narrowing sharply
- >"Rarity!"
- >The name is growled out before she resumes her previous cheer and molestation
- >"But they all got it wrong, right? I-I'm the -only- one who did it properly! And now you're gonna
- reward me right?"
- >You don't say anything. You can't. There is no response you could even think of giving to this level of
- psychosis. She's lost it, she's gone
- >"Right?!"
- >She mashes her pelvis against yours
- >"C'mon darnit!"
- >This continues for some moments, Dash's face twisting into a snarl before it snaps to a blank
- expression
- >"Oh! You... you must be hungry, right? Of course! How could I forget, I didn't even feed you and
- now... now you're too tired!"
- >Smiling once more she hops off, clopping away
- >"Just keep thinkin' of me and I'll be back in like, ten seconds okay?"
- >She's gone before you can think of anything to say that might aid you. Fuck this. Fucking Dash
- >You lie there... you don't know how long. It can't be too long, the lights position streaming in the
- window barely shifts before you hear something again
- >"... a surprise? Oooh, you know I -love- surprises!"
- >That voice... it sounds so familiar
- >Clopping, two sets, one comes down
- >"Hey Anon! I brought some snacks! Oh, and I brought a friend too! I think you'll like her, she's really,
- -really- fun!"
- >Movement
- >"C'mon down, Pinks! It's all ready!"
- >Clopping from above, coming down the stairs... it slows
- >"Dashie... w-what's going on? Why is Anon tied up?"
- >"I know, it's so cool, right? I can't believe how easy it was too!"
- >"What are you talking about? W-What are you doing?"
- >Clopping, you feel a hoof stroking your member
- >"Isn't it obvious? This was the only way I could prove to Anon I could be the kind of rapist he likes."
- >"B-But Dashie... that's wrong!"
- >The rubbing stops, clopping
- >"Huh? Whadda ya mean?"
- >"You can't just do that to him! That... that's mean!"
- >"Aww, c'mon Pinks, what about AJ and Fluttershy, huh? How-How come you never did said anything
- to -them-?!"
- >Clopping, it's coming over your other side
- >"Because!"
- >A pause, more hooves following after the other set
- >"Yeah?"
- >"C'mon, Dashie, isn't it obvious? AJ always left a way for him to escape, you know she's too fair not
- to a-and Fluttershy would never, ever force herself on anyp0ny."
- >Growling, it sounds like Dash
- >"Yeah? And that's why they FAILED! That's why I failed but NOT again! Okay? I got it right this
- time and I'm gonna take what's mine! Now you can either have fun -with- me or you can just... just take
- a hike!"
- >Nothing, no sound but heavy breathing. Then you feel something at the binding of your hand, it's a set
- of hooves! They're trying to free you!
- >"Hey... hey stop! Cut it out, Pinks!"
- >"Hey... Hey Pinkie, get me out of this!"
- >"Hang on, I just-"
- >CRACK
- >"Look what you made me do!"
- >Clopping, the sound of something heavy sliding on the ground
- >"You could've just taken a hike but -noooo-, you had to try and spoil our fun!"
- >"Christ, Dash, what did you do!"
- >"Hey, don't worry, Anon, she's not going to ruin our good times - are you Pinkie?"
- >The sound of soft groaning
- >"Daaaashie... ?"
- >"Shut up! Just shut up! You... stay there and watch! I'll show you how to do it!"
- >Clopping faster than before, something heavy lands on you. Dash is looking down at you, smiling
- once more but breathing heavily
- >"Dash, what did you do to her?"
- >"Nothin'! Like I said, I'm just makin' sure she can sit and watch us. Cause... you're gonna help me
- show her right?"
- >The hoof is back down at your waist, furiously rubbing your genitals. You fight it, your body giving in
- and rebelling against you
- >"Ha! Hey, now you're doin' it!"
- >Dash moves, you feel that heat once more pressed against you. She starts grinding herself, slowly
- getting you up to half mast
- >"Alright! Okay! Now we're getting somewhere!"
- >You can't keep fighting but you're body just wants to relent. You can only keep yourself from going
- any further, Dash moistening by the second
- >"C'mon... c'mon... just a little more..."
- >She begins to whine, forelegs digging in to the bed at your arms
- >"C'mon! WHY? WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING!"
- >She sobs suddenly
- >"WHY... Why... why won't you do this! Why... I just want this -one- thing..."
- >Her grinding slows as her sobbing increases
- >"Please... please Anon, just gimme this... please..."
- >"Dash... please just-"
- >"NO!"
- >She lifts her head, cheeks damp and eyes reddening
- >"NO! It's okay, I... I know what to do! Z-Zecora, right? I bet she... she has stuff that can do the job."
- >"Oh Jesus, Dash, listen to yourself!"
- >"I am! Okay? I am! You... you're still testing me! I knot it! That -has- to be it! Well d-don't worry, I
- can go -all- the way for -you-!"
- >"No, Dash, wait!"
- >She's off you and clopping away
- >"Dash! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!"
- >Your pleas fall on deaf ears as she trots off, up the stairs
- >Time passes, you hate this silence-
- >There's a groan. Of course... Pinkie!
- >"Pinkie? Pinkie, can you hear me?"
- >"Daaaashie... ?"
- >"No, Pinkie, it's me, Anon!"
- >"A-Anooon... ?"
- >"Aww, fuck sake... Pinkie! C'mon, don't give up on me!"
- >Movement, unsteady clopping, there's a pink face looking down at you
- >"Anon? Y-You're tied up... Dashie!"
- >She looks about quickly, fast clopping away from you then back
- >"O-Okay, she's gone, I-I'm gonna get you out."
- >Her hooves start fumbling at the bindings, unable to grip. She leans down, using her teeth but still has
- no effect. They're evidently too tight
- >You hear sobbing
- >"I'm sorry..."
- >"Pinkie, stay with me! Okay, look... just... go and get help. Can you do that?"
- >The sobbing slows
- >"U-Uh-huh. I-I'll get Twilight and Rarity and... and they'll help!"
- >Clopping away from you, it stops
- >"Just hang on, I'll be back. Pinkie promise!"
- >The clopping recedes up the stairs and is gone. You pray silently that she gets back before Dash...
- >You hold your composure as best you can, this thin sliver of hope bracing you against the monstrosity
- Dash has planned for herself
- >You pace your breathing, you have to stay calm, help -is- on the way. You call out again, hoping
- someone will hear you but it's no good. Either you're too far down or too far outside the town to be
- heard
- >In either case it doesn't matter because Pinkie's quick on her hooves and she's sure to get back before-
- >"Anon! Anon! I got it! I got it!"
- >Furious clopping overhead, then down the stairs. The voice, it could be either one but... why is there
- only one set of hooves?
- >A... blue head appears over you, smiling while some strange, orange coloured plant is clutched in her
- mouth
- >"She didn't want to give it to me but I just had to take it! I told ya I'd do anything for you!"
- >She clops away, there's the sound of something being moved
- >"Hey, lucky I have some water here, huh? I just need to grind this stuff into it and she said it'll do the
- trick."
- >You can hear it, the sound of a rock grinding against stone. With each passing minute you feel your
- heart thump faster, until blood is thundering in your ears
- >Sounds of water splashing, clopping, Dash appears over you with some sort of bowl in her mouth.
- She sets it down at your side and hops onto you
- >"Okay, dude, I don't know how long this is going to take so just bear with me, okay?"
- >She takes the bowl in her hooves and lifts it to your mouth, pressing it there with one while she holds
- your head up with the other. You keep your mouth shut but... she knees you in the balls...
- >You can't stop yourself from yelping in pain, as it lances up through your pelvis. The liquid spills into
- your mouth and you choke, trying to breath against it but forced to swallow some
- >"Awesome! See? Oh and sorry about that, I guess you don't like it -too- rough huh?"
- >She giggles, settling herself down against you
- >"Alright, I'm just gonna enjoy myself for a bit 'kay?"
- >You feel the grinding start up again and your mind starts to haze, the liquid spreading down into your
- stomach warming you with the warmth falling lower and lower until it's down at your member. It
- twitches, Dash stops
- >"Whoah! Awesome! I didn't think it'd work -that- fast!"
- >Dash starts to bump and grind against you, whining and lapping at your neck and chest
- >"C'mon... c'mon.., augh, I'm so close... !"
- >Your body won't listen to your mind as your member keeps hardening but... goddamn it hurts! The
- heat that's been spreading is only worsening the pain in your testicles from the blow
- >It's doing a little to halt your body's response but Dash keeps it up
- >"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, C'MON!"
- >She starts grinding harder, enough so that the sensation itself has become painful
- >"Dash... you're hurting..."
- >"Aww, what? Can't take a little -pain-? Geeze, I thought you -wanted- this!"
- >"I... don't!"
- >"Yeah, yeah, just keep sayin' that."
- >She keeps at it, the feeling of her wet marehood now only serving to disgust you. Your body finally
- falls back under your control, your mind still hazy but the painful sensations enough to break through it
- >"What? No, NO, NO! C'MON!"
- >She sits back, pushing down against you
- >"C'MON! BUCK SAKE, WHAT'S WRONG, I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT!"
- >Her hooves are pressed hard against your chest before they slide down, onto your thighs
- >"STOP DOIN' THIS! STOP IT! STOP IT! JUST STOP RESISTING!"
- >She falls forward, hooves splayed out, panting
- >"C'mon man... three years... three buckin' years and you won't even gimme this..."
- >She begins sobbing once more
- >"What... what did I do wrong? Am... Am I just not hot enough? Don't ya like me?"
- >She grunts, thighs pressing tightly against you
- >"No... NO! No I can do this! I just... just..."
- >She wails suddenly, throwing herself upon you
- >"Why! Please, Celestia, why! Why are you doin' this to me? I waited... I waited... I was good to
- you..."
- >Her body is shaking with little sobs now
- >"Why Rarity... why her... why not me... I... I did this for you... but you..."
- >Dash trails off, you can feel her hot tears against you
- >"What... what did she... d-do..."
- >"She never did this, Dash."
- >She whimpers, giving a few last grinds before stopping
- >"B-But... she... you hated..."
- >"No, I didn't hate her. I hated what she did."
- >Dash's breathing has slowed but she still sobs
- >"You can still stop this. You don't have to-"
- >"NO!"
- >She sits upright once more
- >"NO! You, you're STILL testing me! It has to be! It can't be anything else!"
- >She jumps up, turning over you before plopping herself back down. She scooches back, pressing her
- rump to your face
- >"Okay... okay, I can do this..."
- >Something warm and wet envelopes your member. You know what she's doing, you hate it. You hate
- her
- >"Nngh... c'mon dude... just... just take it..."
- >She bobs again and again, tongue dancing around your member but it's for naught. You can only feel
- disgust at what she's become
- >"Augh! FINE! I-If I can't get -you- off then at least you can get -me- off!"
- >She sits back up... on your face, pressing her marehood against what she feels to be your lips and
- starts gyrating about
- >You try to shout, try to scream but your cries are muffled. You sorely wish your arms were free so you
- could jam a fist into her side
- >"Hnnnn... c'mon... just... USE YOUR TONGUE FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE!"
- >She pushes down harder, you wince at how your head is pressed back painfully like this
- >"Do it! C'mon! DO IT!"
- >She continues to press down, your eyes are shut tight, your mind cast off from what's going on
- >"JUST BUCKING-"
- >She stops very suddenly. Stops moving, stops talking, stops making any sound
- >And then... clopping from above. Furious clopping. Voices. They're coming down the stairs
- >"No! NO! NO! NO! THIS WAS MY TIME! I GOT IT RIGHT!"
- >"Anon? Anon! What has she-"
- >Relief washes over you in waves as you hear Rarity's voice call out to you
- >"BUCK OFF YOU DONKEY! HE'S MINE!"
- >Dash is screeching, leaping off you and gone in a heartbeat
- >You can hear something... the soft thrum of a magical field
- >"Rainbow Dash! How could you do this?"
- >That's Twilight's voice, oh god, Pinkie actually got them
- >"I simply can -not- believe you've turned to this! So help me, if I get a moment alone with you I'll-"
- >"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP YOU BUCKING WHORE! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! HE WAS
- MINE!"
- >"What did you call me?! Twilight let her go, I want to take care of this personally!"
- >"Rarity, no! We have to get her help!"
- >"The only 'help' she needs is help in having her wings rotated! And I would be -quite- happy to assist
- with that!"
- >"YOU BUCKIN' TOUCH ME AND I'LL- MMFF!"
- >"There... now, Pinkie, go get some guards, we'll need them to take care of her. Rarity you can just...
- help Anon out."
- >"But... Oh. Oh! Oh, yes, Anon, I'm so sorry!"
- >And there she is, the lady's face appears over you. You almost feel like weeping at the sight
- >"Rarity, I-"
- >"Hush now, I'll have you free in a moment."
- >You feel pressure at your hands and legs. With a soft thrum and the glow of her horn the bindings are
- undone and you're up, arms around her neck
- >"Thank you! Thank you..."
- >"Hush now, it's quite alright. We're here, nothing more is going to happen to you."
- >And you just... let go. All that's just happened to you catches up and you weep into her mane, Rarity
- sitting herself and extending her forelegs around you. She doesn't say a word, just holds you
- >Sniffing, you pull back from her, to see her smiling at you
- >"I know it's hard but we'll get you through this, alright? I'm here, I'm right here and you don't have to
- be afraid. She's not going to be able to get to you any more."
- >You nod, still sniffling and turn to see Dash pinned against the wall, a purple magical field
- surrounding her. It's... hard to believe that that pegasus had you right in her grasp. Hard to believe the
- madness that she'd cultivated
- >She sees you looking at her and puts on a pleading look, eyes darting between you and Twilight. You
- turn your gaze away, unable to even look at her any more
- >You're lead out of that basement, out through a rickety shack and see that you've been outside
- Ponyville the whole time. Safety just tantalisingly out of reach
- >Rarity walks you back to her home and from there up into her bed. She tells you she's going to make
- some of your tea and to just wait there, don't worry, you're safe
- >You lie down against the sheets and pillows, still struggling to come to terms with what was done to
- you. It would take time, you knew that, but knowing Dash was finally out of your life would be a great
- help in getting through this
- >These days are better for you. It's been weeks since... that episode with Rainbow Dash. You've heard
- she's been committed to Ponyville General. You still hate her for what you did but you also hope she
- finds the help she needs. She did this to herself, she's the only one who can fix herself of it
- >Better still is a certain item arriving in the post. A letter of confirmation, one that had been
- ridiculously expensive to secure and had taken almost your entire savings. But it had been worth it. It
- was worth it because you'd made this promise to Rarity
- >Rarity. The lady had been by your side near every day since what happened. Every moment she could
- spare would be spent talking or not talking. Just being with her, crying, screaming, more crying... she
- never said a word unless needed, never became frustrated or gave up. You came to understand that this
- must have been what it was like for her and you couldn't have asked for anyone better to understand
- what you'd gone through
- >But that was in the past. You hadn't let your experience taint your newfound intimacy with Rarity. As
- with spending time with her, you'd also spent near every night with her too, most often in her own
- home. And through it all she never forced you, never pushed you, never gave any indication that she
- might be tired of waiting
- >You were two broken souls, seeking comfort in one another
- >And now, as you stride towards the Carousel Boutique, you clutch in your hand that most important of
- letters. It's a struggle to keep yourself from running, just from imagining the look on her face
- >"Good mo~rning! And welcome to the- darling! Oh it's simply marvelous to see you!"
- >The lady rushes up to you, hugging you and kissing you lightly. Ah yes, she's still making your tea
- >"And a good morning to you. Well, it would be if I hadn't received this."
- >You hold up the letter and Rarity levitates it over to herself
- >Rarity begins scanning over it, you notice her eyes growing wider and wider. Then she stops and
- starts reading it slower
- >"Remember, when we started out, I said to you if you kept going as you did, one day we would be
- dining in the Sommeil de Soleil in Canterlot?"
- >The letter lowers and she's looking back at you, eyes filled with stars
- >"I think we've long passed that point and I'm only sorry we-"
- >You're knocked to the ground as your world turns white
- >"Oh darling this is... I can't even say, it's just so incredible!"
- >She peppers kisses across you and you struggle to return more than a few of them
- >"You deserve it, Rarity. This and more. Now come on! We've got to get ourselves ready for it."
- >"Oh my... yes! I have to go get a makeover, pick out a suitable outfit, I have to make -you- something
- new; can't be seen traipsing about in the same old clothes..."
- >She's up and off you, walking into her work room, rummaging through clothes racks. You chuckle to
- yourself, relishing in how charming her flustered state is
- >With the weekend you take the train to Canterlot, Rarity giddy the whole way. You can't blame her,
- after hearing you'd also be staying in La Nuit Impériale - one of Canterlot's better hotels - she'd been
- practically beside herself
- >The trip itself is enjoyable, with you and her sharing a compartment by yourselves. Little was said, as
- little was needed. The smile never left her face the whole way
- >Arriving, the city has a different feel to Manehatten - less fast-paced but still retaining the sense of
- just being... bigger. You're more familiar with it, visiting the Princess Celestia over the years as she
- checked on your integration in Pony society
- >And the hotel, too, retains a more refined, sophisticated feel than that of the Sky High in Manehatten.
- You prefer it, it suits Rarity far more
- >The room... ah yes, she's -very- pleased to set her eyes upon the double bed, knowing the kind of
- message that sends. Just as before you spend some time getting reacquainted with her upon it, before
- heading out to sample a little of the night life
- >Indeed, the night was wonderful. Rarity might not claim to have any great love of nightclubs or the
- sort but finding the right one, she'd settled in well enough. Certainly a few drinks had loosened her up
- to even dancing... though you'd never shatter her illusions by telling her what you thought of it to her
- face. Plus, it had been enjoyable watching her have such fun
- >Retiring to the bed... You'd spent the night in each other's embrace like so many times before. The
- delicate scent of her body tantalising you more than it had previously
- >And then the day after, you'd gone about the city visiting art galleries aplenty. Much of the history of
- the movements might have been lost on you but it was nice, all the same, to have Rarity lecture you on
- the progression in styles and adding her own little titbits about various artists
- >But evening sets in eventually and with that you prepared yourselves to dine in the Sommeil de Soleil,
- Rarity once more chattering about what you could expect. Rubbing shoulders, figuratively in your case,
- with ponies of high class, exquisite interior architecture, the great ballroom, food that made the stuff of
- other restaurants look like swill... Oh yes, she would be in her element
- >You have to admit, walking her along with both of you dressed so well does feel good. In fact, you'd
- never have imagined that you could feel so joyful, in the company of a lady
- >Outside the restaurant you can already hear the soft tones of the music within. As with so many of the
- odd similarities in this world it sounded almost like a waltz, though you couldn't be entirely sure
- >Inside... she had been right. Warm colour tones and high ceilings, every inch bespoke class and grace.
- And then there were the ponies, outfitted in such beautiful clothing and talking, laughing, being all that
- the upper class are: lords and ladies of leisure
- >Lead off to your table, Rarity has stars in her eyes, gazing about all around her. And, yes, many eyes
- fall upon the two of you. It's still easy to forget what an odd sight you can be but you find yourself
- caring so little these days - with her, you're too happy to
- >For a few moments, she sits there, catching her breath as she still looks about. You can't help but to
- smile, surely this must be everything she had dreamed and, if you were lucky, you would cap off
- tonight with something you hoped would truly show her how far you had come
- >"Isn't this just... just magnificent?"
- >But you don't say anything, just enjoying her look of utter contentment. Looking about again you see
- this truly is where she belongs: every p0ny a picture of refined class, a far cry from the boorishness
- Rarity might bemoan being surrounded by back in Ponyville. But not a mare you lay eyes upon can
- dare to hold a candle to her beauty, her grace or her endearing charm
- >"Will we order?"
- >"Oh yes, hmm, it all looks so delicious! I don't think I know quite what I shall sample."
- >But she quickly enough settles upon a dish of... you're not exactly sure what it is, given the name and
- description but you order the same, trusting in her judgement
- >So you settle in to the meal, proving more flavoursome than you'd come to expect from such high
- class. That or perhaps, just perhaps, your palate was becoming more refined
- >Conversation is mostly absent this evening, you presume Rarity is too busy absorbing the ambience.
- Good food, good music, good company... yes, you could well get used to this yourself
- >With the meal done the band strikes up a rather lively tune and many of the couples present proceed
- onto the ballroom floor to dance
- >And... you can't help but notice Rarity look on with barely concealed pensiveness. You watch the
- dancers for a few moments, hoping to discern the problem... Ah! Of course. They, one and all, dance
- with necks intertwined, staying on all four legs
- >One of the few cases where your differences in leg numbers would prove a problem. Or it might have
- >There is one idea that comes to your mind
- >"Rarity, would you like to dance?"
- >She continues looking out upon the floor for a moment before turning to you, a forced smill on her
- face
- >"No... no it's quite alright, darling, I understand we can't."
- >No, this won't do
- >"There's nothing saying we -can't-. Come on."
- >You stand and, placing a hand on her shoulder, gently lead her out to the floor
- >"W-What are you doing? We can't dance together!"
- >"Only if you think so! Look, I just want to try something. You trust me don't you?"
- >You hate yourself for saying that but it's probably the only way you're going to get her to go along.
- Yes, she winces but nods, following
- >You take her out into the centre, through the couples and into an island of calm
- >"Alright... rear back and put your forelegs on my shoulders."
- >"What?! B-But we'll look ridiculous!"
- >"Rarity, please, I'm not going to make a show of you."
- >With a heavy sigh, she does as you've asked, glancing about to check for any looks you might be
- getting
- >"Alright, now... put one of your hooves over my shoulder... yes, like that."
- >You reach up and cup the other hoof in your hand, holding it out
- >"W-What..."
- >"Ah-ah! Just follow my lead."
- >You slip your other hand down onto her waist, eliciting a small gasp
- >"Th-This seems rather intimate!"
- >You lean in and softly whisper to her, "That's sort of the point of it."
- >You're glad the music's timing is right when you take the first step, Rarity looking down momentarily
- before attempting to mimic. You take another and another, following the pattern of a simple waltz. She
- fumbles numerous times, quickly glancing about her, her features growing more and more concerned
- >"Rarity! Look at me. Don't look at anyone else, just look at me."
- >She snaps back, biting her bottom lip
- >"Just pretend it's the two of us, back at your home, alright?"
- >She nods, gulping but keeping her gaze fixed on you
- >The music keeps at its steady timing, and Rarity starts to follow your lead with fewer and fewer
- missteps
- >"Ha! This... I'm enjoying this! I'm really enjoying it!"
- >"See?"
- >You pull her a little tighter
- >"Now, don't be afraid to improvise. I don't know anything more than these few steps, I'm afraid."
- >"Oh, I shall!"
- >You continue leading her through the three steps, but she quickly starts to add her own little
- flourishes, spinning, pushing out from you, changing direction... this is what she was born for
- >Only now it's you who's missing a few steps
- >"Chin up! We can't all have such faultless grace."
- >She could be just a little humble about this...
- >You take a breath to steady yourself and concentrate on your movements; it's made all the more
- difficult by how Rarity beams at you, now truly uncaring, you're sure, about what onlookers there may
- be
- >The music swells and dips, continuing in its gentle melody before swelling up into a crescendo
- >Rarity, now living only for it, leads you on, her movements becoming quicker with the music
- >Her cheeks are flushed and a few hairs are out of place but... she's -still- smiling at you. And you her,
- you realise. To be able to give her this does indeed bring you a great deal of satisfaction
- >And then it ends, Rarity continuing to hold you for a moment longer, panting, before going down on
- to all fours
- >"That was..."
- >"Fabulous? Oh my, yes!"
- >She takes the time to look about her, seeing more than a few eyes upon you two. She doesn't look like
- she cares, though, as she haughtily strides back to your table
- >"Promise me we'll do that again."
- >"Naturally..."
- >You're a little wary of being shown up by a quadruped at one of your people's own dances, that said...
- >Rarity looks... you've been thinking it a lot tonight but she just looks so very content. Dinner,
- dancing... yes, this no doubt is exactly the type of evening she had dreamed of being treated to
- >You stay on for some time, enjoying some tea while Rarity takes a strong cup of coffee, almost
- spluttering some of it as she gestures you towards the dance floor: a number of pony couples have
- begun trying to emulate your dance with mixed degrees of success. Maybe she'll feel just a little less
- self-conscious
- >But, alas, even this must come to an end and the two of you walk slowly back to the hotel, gaily
- talking over whether this may set a new trend among Canterlot society. Your arm slips wide over her
- shoulder, holding her as tight as you can, pausing once at a quiet spot between the restaurant and hotel
- to kiss her, thanking her for such an evening. Thanking her for staying with you all this time and for
- being so patient, so kind and good to you
- >She blushes, shyly thanking you in turn for ever taking the chance on her, after all that had happened.
- So you tell her you'd always had a soft spot for her, even through all her failed attempts at seducing
- you. She had been respectful, in her own way
- >Not another word is said as you continue on back to the hotel, lost in each other
- >Something is different tonight. You can feel it. Washing up before getting into bed you look over
- yourself in the large mirror of the bathroom. You look... content. As content as she does, now. Perhaps
- it is that you can move on a little further
- >So it's with that, that you slip in under the covers and embrace her, as so often before you have
- >She snuggles back against you, gasping at the new sensation
- >"You... you're not wearing anything!"
- >"No."
- >She turns to face you, her face plain but her eyes showing her unbidden desire
- >"Does that mean... ?"
- >"We won't go 'all the way', not tonight but I do want to give you something more than I have before."
- >Rarity shudders as you slide your hand up against her stomach first. Then slowly lowering it, over her
- lower abdomen, delighting in the subtle curve, past the two soft globes between her thighs and...
- >She gasps, louder than before
- >"W-What are you-"
- >"Shhh, would you like me to continue?"
- >"Yes! I-I mean... I don't want to force you but..."
- >You lean forward, kissing her softly, sweetly
- >"And you're not. I -want- to do this, for you. For all you've done for me."
- >She lets out a shaky breath, slowly extending her forelegs over you, drawing you closer to her as you
- kiss her once more, holding it this time as you begin to please her, as a lady should be pleased...
- Chapter 6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- This part is explicit so I suggest you turn back now, unless that's your kind of thing...
- That said, if you do wish to skip over this part you won't be missing anything integral to the plot.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- >Some months later...
- >There's a snap to the cool air, as you walk down Trotskaya Street. No, strike that, this is -far- too
- chilly!
- >"Remind me again why we're here."
- >Rarity turns to you, a devilish grin playing across her lips
- >"Don't you remember, darling? The Duke of Manehatten insisted we visit Stalliongrad at this time of
- year. It -was- awfully kind of him to pull a few strings with his good friends here."
- >You shiver, pulling your greatcoat tighter to yourself. Your beloved had insisted on making you one to
- better fit in with the emerging fashion trends in this part of Equestria. Sensing this isn't enough you pull
- her closer
- >"Ah! Must you be so rough?"
- >"I don't recall you complaining about that last night..."
- >She blushes furiously, turning away from you
- >"Honestly, you are nothing -short- of incorrigible!"
- >You lean down to kiss her mane softly, those same scents of blueberry and vanilla still sending a
- thrum of excitement through you
- >"But isn't that why you love me?"
- >She grunts, bumping against you
- >"You can be so unfair sometimes."
- >You rush to think of some suitably witty quip when Rarity taps your side
- >"Oh darling, we -must- sample the delightful coffees they have here!"
- >She's off before you can stop her, trotting down towards a small street vendor
- >This is what it's all about, you reflect as you follow her. The simple pleasures of spending time with
- her
- >Reaching her, a paper cup is levitated into your eager hands. Ah! Something hot besides her, at last.
- You're sure she tips the merchant far too many bits but the way she smiles so cutely at his reaction
- makes you realise that, of course, is just her way
- >You place your hand back over her as you continue strolling down the street
- >"It's truly a shame we can't stay longer, isn't it?"
- >You shudder, the thoughts of wintering out these icy climes...
- >"But then we wouldn't be able to enjoy winter at our own home. I've been looking forward to -that-."
- >"Mmm."
- >She bumps against you once more, still sipping from her cup
- >"What's say we call it a day, I know you'd much prefer to be somewhere warm."
- >Your mind races with the thoughts of what, exactly, she means with that. No matter what it is, you
- love the sound of it
- >How could it be so cold even in the bedroom! It'd be nice if you could raise the heat just a little but
- you'd already gotten dirty looks from the cleaning staff enough after the last time you did it
- >Ah but then you do have something -far- better than that...
- >"Darling, aren't you coming to bed? You must be dreadfully cold."
- >You are but you still need to clean yourself full for this. There's not a hope she'd permit anything less
- >You walk out of the bathroom to see... ah, she's wearing that lavender chemise again. Yes, after the
- first time you'd caught her admiring herself in front of her bedroom mirror wearing a crimson and black
- corset you'd told her that, quite to the contrary, you'd found it very appealing
- >She high-tails under the covers seeing you, giggling softly
- >"Oh I know you hate this cold but... mmm, I'm sure we can concoct a few ways to keep ourselves
- warm..."
- >And you most definitely do, though you're also sure she doesn't expect what you have in mind
- >You waste no time yourself in getting under the covers, immediately shuffling up against her, holding
- her tight to yourself, running your hands gently over her stomach and chest
- >"Ahhh, you do so know -exactly- how I like to be touched."
- >You continue this way, a little grin forcing its way onto your lips
- >Rarity gasps suddenly but when she speaks it's slow, and quiet
- >"I'm glad to see I can still excite you."
- >You stop rubbing her, holding your hands at her chest
- >"Were you afraid you no longer did?"
- >There's a little pause, she shifts her legs a little
- >"Maybe."
- >You can feel her rubbing her thighs together softly. You know what she needs to be told
- >"Rarity, do you remember, a long way back, when I asked you to be patient with me?"
- >She stops, again speaking so softly
- >"Yeees?"
- >"I think... I think I've made you wait long enough."
- >A pause again, then a gasp followed by a soft titter but when she speaks... she sounds nervous
- >"A-Are you sure? We can always wait-"
- >"Rarity, please. We've been together so long now, if I'm not comfortable at this stage you should just
- leave me."
- >"I... I would never do that."
- >"I know. And that's why I want to give you what you want."
- >There's a shuddering breath, you kiss her shoulder
- >"I've just had so, -so- many dreams of this."
- >"And this evening, I'll be sure to make every one of them come true."
- >The warm moistness between her legs is not something you've been a stranger to, in the intervening
- months after that first night in Canterlot but this -is- the first time she's touched you more intimately
- with it
- >She shudders once more, pushing back against you, not taking you in just yet. You're glad, you want
- to draw this out as much as her
- >"I-It feels so... different."
- >"Bad?"
- >"No! That... I don't know what it is, it's like a... lip?"
- >"The... bottom of the glans."
- >"It feels so- AH!"
- >You slide forward, shivering at the sensations that course through you
- >"L-Like that?"
- >A squeak is your response
- >"No! Wait!"
- >She slides herself off, robbing you of those wonderful feelings before- oh. She wants to face you...
- >"You know I'm... one for intimacy."
- >You feel her press down against you once more, both of you sighing at this sense of completeness
- >"Why did I wait so long..."
- >"It doesn't matter... It doesn't matter..."
- >She whispers that, kissing along your neck as you kiss at her face, both of your lips meeting suddenly
- as she lifts her head. She pulls back, only to push forward, your member slipping but an inch into her
- >"Mmmf!"
- >You both halt, shaking against each other. Why -did- you wait so long!
- >Rarity rocks against you gently, little shuddering breaths escaping her lips. Your hands wildly roam
- across her back and buttocks, every care forgotten now. They slide under the silk shift, and you delight
- in this new sensation
- >Her hooves grip your elbows, pulling at them. She tries to draw herself down upon you but you pull
- back, teasing herself and yourself further
- >"Annngh... oh don't do this..."
- >She pulls forward again, you push slightly against her, her marehood sliding down you. Her hooves
- slip down from your elbows to your sides, holding weakly
- >A wicked idea comes to the fore of your mind. Something you'd held a fantasy of yourself for a little
- while now
- >You gently separate from her, drawing a soft whine before you cast off the sheets. If you're to do this
- you won't need them
- >"Just... just a second."
- >"What are..."
- >You slide down the bed, stopping at her hind legs to part them gently, rolling her onto her back. Your
- nose is overwhelmed by her delicate musk. It does nothing to diminish your passions...
- >"What-"
- >"This is... it's something I want to do. For you. Okay?"
- >She nods down to you
- >You run your hands along her thighs, Rarity shivering in response
- >"Tease me further? Hnnn... why?!"
- >"For this."
- >You lower your lips to her teats and take a nipple between them, biting down on the sensitive flesh
- >She gasps, back arching above you
- >You raise your head, looking up at her with mock concern
- >"Should I stop?"
- >"Don't you -dare-!"
- >Feels good to smirk, but not quite as good as the knowledge of how much she's enjoying this
- >Your face down once more, you suck and bite at the nipple, little whines and gasps coming from
- above, legs kicking out. You can't stop your hands from finding their way up her sides, slowly at first
- and then pulling down quicker
- >Her breath is coming in short little breaths now, you stop the attention upon her teat, drawing an
- annoyed noise from her before you lower yourself to kiss at her inner right thigh
- >"You... you aren't... aren't going to... !"
- >No words would do justice, instead you kiss further inside her leg, slowly, delighting in the little
- shivers coursing through her
- >You have to stop them kicking about, though, you're likely to lose a few teeth if this keeps up. Plus it
- nicely allows you access to more... private parts
- >Yes, now moving closer to it, the scent intensifies. It drives you on, any thoughts of drawing this out
- too long now abandoned
- >You kiss once, twice at the edge of her labia, drawing a soft little whine from her
- >"Please..."
- >You're not one to deny a lady, so you edge over, running your tongue just along her marehood, the
- musky, spicy taste dancing down your tongue as little droplets escape her
- >Her back arches once more, the whine intensifying and then dropping down into hard, shuddering
- breaths
- >Ah but you cannot let it end here. You can't see it but you know you're drawing near and... there it is,
- the tiny nub. You dart your tongue over it, thighs clenching against your grip as her body ripples
- >"There...! There!"
- >You lower your lips upon it, slowly sucking and swirling your tongue, your arms quickly growing
- tired as Rarity attempts to buck against you
- >Hooves dart to your head, pushing you down and for a split second an image of a blue mare pressing
- herself down on you flashes before your mind. But this is different. You -want- this. You want her
- >Squeaks, moans and heightened panting are your reward for your continued ministrations but her
- muscles are too insistent and you relinquish your grip, her hind legs darting forward, bucking lightly
- >With your hands now freed of that chore you lazily raise them to rub at her teats, fingers sliding over
- her nipples and squeezing them lightly
- >With your vision a sea of roiling white you close your eyes, focusing your attention on the sounds,
- smells and tastes
- >Ah, the taste... no human girl had ever been this... exquisite; was it that Rarity's a pony? Or is it that
- she's a woman of such a ripe age? You care not, only berating yourself for ever having denied yourself
- this
- >Her breaths shorten, a slight whine to her voice again though rising in pitch now
- >She must be close, she has to be if the way her legs splay out and close in so quickly are anything to
- go by
- >You redouble your efforts, a hand slipping down to stroke at her hot moistness, Rarity pushing back
- against the finger
- >It's short lived, as her back arches one last time, holding for moments before she falls to the bed,
- panting, your reward another sweet taste of her juices and the knowledge of her satisfaction
- >You lie there, stroking her stomach while her breathing settles, only moving when she's suitably
- relaxed. Now back by her side you can clearly see the contented smile upon her face
- >You lick your lips before grabbing a tissue from the bedside locker, dabbing it upon them and then
- kissing her. No words are needed, not now
- >Instead you put your arms over her and pull her close once more, kissing at her neck and shoulder
- while Rarity nuzzles in against your own neck
- >"Oh! I almost forgot."
- >She pulls away from you, grinning while gently pushing you onto your back. You shoot her a
- quizzical glance but she doesn't give any indication of what she's planned
- >"I think I know how to do this..."
- >She stands and moves into position over your body, her hindquarters roughly level with your head.
- Lowering herself, you delight in the warmth of her body against your own; at least this is a position you
- know is to her liking
- >From this vantage you've got a perfect view of her toned buttocks and marehood, a sight that draws
- your hands onto those alabaster cheeks, to rest there and gently stroke them
- >And then there's the sensation of a warm, soft breath over your member. Your eyes shoot wide at the
- realisation of what she's about to do
- >But she's learned well from you and moves to start off, kissing at your inner thighs, slowly moving
- inwards. You can't stop your body from shivering at the sensation, the delicate softness of her lips upon
- this sensitive part of you something new and wonderful
- >Your fingers clutch tighter at her rear and it's impossible to stop yourself from drawing her back, just
- slightly. It's the perfect position to return the favour and you're not going to shy away from that
- >Those kisses edge ever closer to your member and though you try to concentrate on what's in fron of
- you it's just too difficult. Not least of all because your breathing has increased dramatically
- >And she accused you of being a tease...
- >Those soft kisses end abruptly and the warm breath across you returns. You shiver slightly, before
- gasping as warm wetness envelopes the head of your member
- >Your arms reflexively tense, pulling her down onto your eager lips. She shudders slightly, her warm
- flesh rippling under your fingers. The scent of that musk returns, not quite as strong as before and it's
- now mixed with her own gentle aroma
- >You shut your eyes under the intense pleasure of her lips lowering down over you, her tongue moving
- in long, slow strokes. This is obviously not her first time but it matters not - at least she knows what a
- male likes
- >Her forelegs move from the bed to encircle your legs, holding them slightly apart as you had her own.
- As she does so, her lips move back, her tongue winding down in time with this
- >Your own arms slide over her rump, gently keeping her from escaping your own ministrations. Your
- eyes remain closed as you bask in these wonderful sensations. Your tongue flicks out, pressing against
- and into her warmth
- >Rarity tenses suddenly, halting in her own movement before resuming with a little increased speed.
- You gasp as she keeps a tight suck upon you, pulling off, only to plant a gentle kiss upon your member
- >A part of you regrets not treating her to such thorough treatment but perhaps now you have a chance
- to resolve that
- >You pull back from her, leaning up once more to kiss her delicate lips. She shivers, looking back at
- you
- >"But-"
- >"No reason... can't both... enjoy..."
- >She turns back, kissing your member once more, you do the same, you both shiver a little at the
- mutual sensations. Her body warms against your own, as yours does in response
- >Rarity begins to take you into her mouth and you press your tongue against and into her, slowly at
- first, swirling your tongue as she does the same
- >She pulls up suddenly, panting
- >"You're... making it hard for... me to concentrate!"
- >"Likewise." You reply smugly
- >With a look of faux reproach she resumes her licking and you of her
- >Her forelegs move down along your legs, stroking back and forth. You never could have imagined
- even this could prove so sensual, her soft coat playing so delightfully against your skin
- >She pulls back, you pull back. She flicks her tongue against the tip of your urethra you- you grunt,
- your head flopping back onto the pillow
- >Ah yes, she's found your weakness now and you're damn sure she's going to exploit it. Which she
- does
- >Moving her lips down just over the glans of your member she flicks her tongue over and back that
- tiny opening, your body tensing each time, as you struggle not to vocalise your pleasure. You can't give
- her that much satisfaction!
- >With some will, you lean back up, lips instantly locking onto the position you'd earlier located her
- clitoris and running your own tongue against it
- >She stops, squeaks and then redoubles her efforts, unwilling to be outdone
- >And she isn't, as you begin to feel a familiar pressure build in your loins. You pull your head back
- >"Rarity... wait... wait!"
- >She stops suddenly, looking back to you
- >"Did I... do something wrong?"
- >"No... no... it's just we... wouldn't want this to... end before it begins..."
- >A smirk and then, "We have all night, don't we?"
- >You make to protest but that warmth and motion of her tongue instantly halts you, your breath
- catching in your chest
- >Attempts to match her now are more difficult, your mind drawn further to the wonderfully pleasurable
- sensations now spreading out from your lower parts
- >Her forelegs are still stroking up and down, warming you delightfully. The most you can do is equally
- run your hands over her back and rump, hoping she enjoys it
- >A few more quick flicks of her tongue and you know this is it, you can't hold out, you cannot be
- stopped
- >"Rarity! Wait! Stop!"
- >You're not sure what her predilection is in this area but you prefer to err on the side of caution. Which
- results only in her pushing further down on your member as you release a low groan, your body
- expending itself
- >Your arms fall limp upon her back as you feel her continued sucking. Your eyes slowly close once
- more, as you are lost to all but these sensations
- >Slowly, her soft lips recede and you're dimly aware of the soft thrum of magic being used
- >You blearily look up to see a tissue at her mouth, Rarity grimacing at you
- >"My apologies but... I'm sure it's an... acquired taste."
- >You smile weakly. "It... doesn't have to be..."
- >She just shakes her head, crumpling up the tissue and tossing it into a nearby bin
- >As you come down from that intense session, she rejoins you at your side, your arms moving to
- encircle her and cuddle her closely once again
- >"What shall we do now?"
- >"Nothing."
- >And you don't, not immediately. You just want to lie there, holding her, enjoying the warmth of her
- body, the sweet scent of her coat and mane
- >She kisses you once, twice, smiling all the while. Yes, you both needed this
- >But the devil always finds word for idle hands and yours are not free from his misdirection as they
- slip down her gentle curves to rub at one of her teats
- >She moans softly against you, pushing herself up against your hand and you dutifully lower it, fingers
- trailing over her marehood
- >This is a return to what you've been used to over these months but now it feels decidedly more
- intimate
- >Surely she knows to avoid the part of you that's still too sensitive, so concentrates on running a hoof
- over your stomach and chest. The feeling of that soft appendage never ceases to delight you...
- >With one finger you slide inside her, your thumb lightly pressing down on that little nub, her walls
- clamping down upon you
- >Rarity gasps, her hoof stopping its motion before shakily resuming it
- >No, you wouldn't push her over the edge this time, just... tease her, as you so love to do
- >Her lips search over your neck and chin before you lower your head to allow her to more easily find
- your own
- >No matter how many times you may have kissed her you knew you'd never grow tired of those lips.
- Every meeting bringing with it a new taste or a new sensation as her experience against your own grew
- >You pull out of her, your hand rising to once more cup her teat, clasping a nipple between two fingers
- >She grunts, pressing against you. With your other arm you draw her chest to yours, that familiar
- warmth so nice
- >You move your hand around over her soft buttock, pulling that part of her close, allowing her to feel
- that you've been enjoying this. She shudders as your hand passes over her backside and down again to
- that most sensitive of her parts
- >You kiss her forehead, inhaling deeply of her mane, the scent doing nothing to diminish your desire
- for her right now
- >You enter, pull out, run your fingers against the edges of her labia, slide your hand across her back
- and rump, kiss her as much and as many times as you can, little squeaks, moans and bodily shivers
- aplenty...
- >All to keep her just at the precipice without being forced over
- >But it could never last. Even you weren't so cruel as to tease her endlessly although Rarity does take
- matters into her own hooves, gently pushing you back
- >"Ugh, you... you can be... so..."
- >"Wicked?"
- >"Yes!"
- >"Oh, I think I like how you say that."
- >You go to pull her back but she shakes your touch off, standing shakily
- >"H-How are we to... do this?"
- >You look at her, front lowered, rump in the air, tail aside. Of course, that would be how ponies couple
- and while you might like, in time, to try that you know of something far better. Far more to her desires
- >"Would you stand over me, please?"
- >She looks at you askance before obeying, With that, you gently pull her down on top of you
- >"What are... ! Oh..."
- >Her nethers come flush against your own, as you wrap your arms back over that beautifully sculpted
- back. Another thing you will never tire of - the softness and delicacy of her coat, richer than the finest
- velvet
- >"Wouldn't you rather we see each other?"
- >Rarity nods, smiling before leaning in to kiss you quickly
- >Slowly, she begins to gently grind herself against you and you in turn undulate your hips in response
- >Both of you are taken by a fit of small gasps, nothing could have prepared you for how wonderful this
- might feel. Once more you curse yourself internally for ever thinking to deny either of you this
- >"Alright, darling... I-I'm ready."
- >As if you needed her to voice that
- >With one final push forward, she lays back and gently takes you inside her
- >Neither of you make a move or a sound, lying there, taken by this new feeling. Every part of Rarity
- that touches you serves only to heighten your pleasure, even looking into her wide, blue eyes, seeing
- your own wonderment reflected in them
- >"Is... is this... as you..."
- >"Yes..."
- >You are happy. You are beyond rapturous. Just to know that this is all she has wanted is beyond your
- hopes for the occasion. The thought of, perhaps, not measuring up against pony stallions had crossed
- your mind along with the inevitable humiliation on both your parts but this... no, this was perfect
- >You don't move to draw out as you kiss her once more, lips dancing against one another, tongues
- fighting for dominance. Your hand finds the back of her head and gently presses down on it, not
- wanting this to end
- >It falls, to her cheek, as warm and welcoming to your touch as any part of her body. Her eyes glimmer
- and you shut your own against the sight, fearful of the emotion overcoming you in equal measure
- >She ends the kiss, moving her mouth to just beside your ear and whispers, "Thank you."
- >You shake your head, hoping it's not too small a motion to notice
- >So the two of you stay like that for moments longer, holding each other, before she takes the lead and
- gently pulls herself up and off you
- >Both of you shudder at this new panoply of sensations, her insides twitching against your member
- with each tiny movement
- >Your hands slide to her shoulders, slowly running down her warm coat, coming to rest gently on her
- buttocks, not pushing or pulling, still allowing her to lead
- >And that is how it proceeds at first with slow, gentle movements, both of you caught up in each other
- >Rarity begins to push a little harder back against you, breath catching at little moans that delight you
- >Her movements hit a peak, though, and she grunts in frustration at how her hooves fail to find
- purchase against the bedclothes. You can't blame her, this is a new position. So you have nothing left
- but to take over, bracing your legs against giving a thrust against her pushing back
- >You stop again, both of you, unprepared for how... good this feels. But it is only for a second as you
- pull back and thrust forward again. And again. Desire overtakes you and you fall into a rhythm
- >Rarity's breathing becomes sharper, she raises her hooves to press them against your chest while her
- lips fall to your own, as you readily welcome them
- >She tries to whine, to moan, to make her pleasure be known but you don't need any words, any
- sounds, only the natural language of her body that lets you know, more than she ever could, that this is
- what it wants
- >Your hands move back up, gripping at her shoulders, pulling her down as she casts her own hooves
- over your shoulders
- >If the contractions within her marehood are any indication she's close to her peak. You redouble your
- efforts, pressing on against the growing tiredness in your hips
- >One... two... three more... and she's there, a high pitched whine as her back arches, her body tensing
- up, only to fall against your own but a moment later
- >You take this as an opportunity to rest a moment. But only one, before you begin your attentions
- >Rarity is, then, left with no time to recover from her ragged breaths as you feel yourself edging closer
- to your own climax
- >"Rarity... I... you... should...", you grunt out the words, hoping she picks up the meaning
- >"No... want you... inside..."
- >You frown at her, or at least do your best to
- >"Yes! Please... wanted it..."
- >You nod slowly, continuing
- >You'd like to think you were more man than to be so easily overcome by her but you know none could
- resist. Not Rarity
- >Looking only into her eyes, you feel that same pressure building as before, only quicker
- >A few thrusts thereafter and your eyes are shut against those sensations - so much more gloriously
- intense - as you cease your thrusting and allow Rarity to come to rest atop you
- >You both lie like that panting, resting, desperately regaining lost breath until you open your eyes again
- and see her smiling down to you. A smile so much warmer and more satisfied than any you have ever
- seen grace those lips. Those lips that kiss you one last time as your arms rise to encircle her
- >A soft, wavering thrum of magic is followed by the bedclothes being drawn upon the two of you
- >Sleep doesn't claim you, not while you're still able to see her face
- >As before she leans down and whispers into your ear, "Thank you."
- >But this time there's a tiny quaver to her voice. You cannot blame her nor can you make a response for
- you know your own voice would fail you
- >So instead you just hold her, under the covers
- >Sleep comes some time later but it is with the vision of your beloved in your eyes, the warmth of her
- love in your heart and the knowledge that you have both finally been fulfilled that you allow it to claim
- you...
- Chapter 7
- >You stir from your rest, turning to find a white face still showing slumber. You love seeing her so
- innocent, like this. The temptation to run a hand down that fair cheek is too much and it's only through
- the greatest of luck that your beloved doesn't waken at your touch. Instead she sighs softly, pressing
- herself forward against you.
- >These were your mornings now, now that things had changed so much. Well, it was only one thing but
- it was just so massive you were still getting used to it, somewhat.
- >Weeks had passed since that fateful night in Stalliongrad and not long after returning to Ponyville
- Rarity had made some not quite subtle insinuations that you should no longer have as great a distance
- between you.
- >This had gone on until you'd eventually asked her what ever was she talking about. Exasperated, she'd
- just outright asked you to move in with her. A gentle kiss and a whispered 'yes' was all it took to set her
- into an excited fit.
- >Selling off your home had brought in enough bits to help her purchase materials for all the new orders
- from stallions across Equestria looking for the most chic garments that money could buy. The rest had
- gone towards buying a bed large enough for you (and her) and to replenishing your previously mortally
- wounded savings.
- >You'd settled into a nice routine of sharing breakfast with her, coming back for lunch and then retiring
- to an evening of conversation and intimacy. The last part had, you admit, made that routine -very- nice.
- >Even Sweetie Belle was... thrilled with these new arrangements. Apparently the thought of her sister
- and her boyfriend living together was just the most adorable thing ever. That was something else you
- liked - being able to care for someone Rarity so obviously did.
- >The little filly had taken to you, seeking you out for assistance with her homework, while Rarity
- would look on, smiling. She wasn't your daughter, would never be. She wasn't even your sister but she
- was important to Rarity, which meant she was important to you.
- >So now you find yourself looking at Rarity like this, almost every morning. At least the ones where
- you don't wake to find her already smiling to you. There are times where you still wonder how lucky
- you could be, to have found something so precious in this world that had previously seemed to be only
- something you tolerated.
- >Rising is as much a chore as always, those moments in the morning seeming too few for your liking
- but needs must and while she might sometimes play the lady of leisure you had no such luxury.
- Besides, you always preferred to leave for work knowing she was still dreaming her dreams.
- >At this hour Sweetie Belle is already up and feeding herself, readying her saddlebags and all that. You
- check to make sure it's a hearty breakfast and that she's remembered to put her history book back in her
- bag.
- >Before departing she leaps into your arms and pecks you on the forehead. It takes a moment for you
- to react but you do so by returning the gesture, earing you a giggle before she scampers off to another
- day of finding herself.
- >Twilight is, as always, keen to enquire about how life is now. Now that... certain unpleasant things are
- put behind you. Things you don't like to discuss with others. Things you receive little reminders of.
- One such, this morning.
- >You set your mind to your work, eager to bury yourself in it and the odd thought of Rarity. Enough so
- that, just today, you take your break early to see her.
- >You could do with it.
- >Stepping through the door of your home you're not greeted with the sound of the sewing machine, soft
- humming or her melodious little greeting. There's nothing.
- >"Rarity?" You set your jacket down and proceed into her workshop.
- >"In here, darling." The voice calls out from the living room.
- >You walk on in expecting... not expecting her to be sitting there so engrossed in a letter. One which
- she sets down on your arrival into the room, giving you a frown.
- >"Rarity, please, you know..."
- >"You can't put it off forever, dear. You know that."
- >"Why? Why can't I!" It's easier to deal with the anger. It's not easy to direct it at her and you don't like
- doing it but she's not being fair. She's not...
- >She doesn't flinch, doesn't sigh, doesn't move. You love her so much, she doesn't deserve this...
- >"Because I know, my darling, I know how much it eats at you. Don't you think I hear you crying
- against my shoulder at night?"
- >Oh god. God no, she hadn't. You'd been so sure to check she was asleep. And now the anger slips out
- of your grasp and there's only the terrible grief. And now she's at your side...
- >"It's alright, you know. You can't put -this- off forever."
- >The first tears roll down your cheeks as she gently leads you to the couch and takes your head against
- her chest.
- >"Why haven't you told me?"
- >"Because I...
- >"You're weak?" You nod against her. "You're not weak. You're afraid and fear is perfectly natural. But
- you don't have to be. What she did was monstrous but she can never do it again and... she can never
- take away what we have."
- >Your hand reached up into her mane, her chin rests against your head. "I'm sorry."
- >"Please don't. Don't ever apologise for what was done to you. If you must be sorry, be sorry you never
- felt you could tell me."
- >"But why? Why did she... ?"
- >Those hooves tug you tightly. "Oh my dearest, didn't you once tell me that love makes us do terrible
- things?"
- >You sniffle, your hand getting lost in that mane you love so well. "Didn't I... say it also... makes us
- do... wonderful things?"
- >There's a long pause. "You did. And I'm holding one of them right now."
- >You force your breathing under your control and wipe your eyes against her chest, hating what it must
- to to her coat. As you pull back you see a radiant smile directed at you. Suddenly, recalling what you
- now have, you don't feel quite so... ashamed.
- >Her face suddenly turns very serious, though her hooves don't leave you. "You must do this, you
- know."
- >You nod, trying so hard to keep your eyes dry. Putting a hand upon her back helps a little.
- >"I know it's hard, please believe me."
- >"I do. I know you..." You trail off, not wishing to draw so much attention to those memories.
- >"So you know when I say you must confront this, you know I'm speaking from my heart." A tiny
- quaver enters her own voice and your eyes cease their attempts to embarrass you.
- >"I don't... want you to have to suffer for so... so long, wondering..."
- >You extend your grasp, pulling her tight to you. Stroking her back calms her, as it had before and you
- feel her hooves move over your own in a similar fashion.
- >"I won't leave you. I'll never, ever abandon you. You must believe that." Her voice sounds stronger
- once more. "And I will be with you through all of this but you must, my dearest. You must."
- >Another deep, shuddering breath. "I know. I've put it off too long."
- >She squeezes you. You like that. "Then we shall go, together. The letter says this Friday, I know it's
- short notice-"
- >"No." You pull back once more. "No, I need to do this, you're right. If it was off in the future I could
- just keep putting it off but now... No, I'll just have to... confront it." You don't like it, you don't want to
- but you know you have to. You know with her you can.
- >"You'll feel better. I know it hurts so much now and it will hurt for a long time after but you have to
- take this first step."
- >You make the most of the rest of your lunch, keeping to more pleasant topics but you can see that
- Rarity looks more satisfied now. You'd been wondering why she looked a little off in recent weeks.
- Your nerves feel shot but every time you look at her she smiles and you feel... if not better then more
- confident.
- >She makes your tea - she's become quite good at that - and sits up against you as you both enjoy it,
- telling you of how Hoity Toity called this morning to see for himself this latest craze. He'd been all
- bluster about how, once again Miss Rarity had done it! And there was something after that. Another one
- of her little less-than-subtle remarks about how you might like to spend time advising her on some of
- the designs. Perhaps... guide her hooves upon the showing machine?
- >You can't deny how much you deny that last part but you know what she means and you agree, feeling
- like if you're living here you may as well have some involvement in her business. Just as well, as the
- orders are coming in hard and fast now.
- >Returning to the library you ask Twilight for Friday off immediately. You don't tell her why and
- seeing the look on your face she doesn't ask, just agrees to do so. Her hoof on your shoulder and small
- smile says all that needs to be said.
- >Your nervousness dissipates somewhat as you find yourself engrossed in your work. And thoughts of
- Rarity. Again. She'd been so proud when she told you about Hoity Toity and so... pleased when you
- were willing to assist her. It seemed a little cliché, the two of you working together like that but it also
- felt good. You didn't have her eye for fashion but time spent with her was time well spent, as far as you
- cared.
- >The hours pass by and finally you find your work if not neatly concluded then enough progress for
- you to do so soon enough and move onto more important subjects. Twilight even hinted at a trip to the
- old Castle of the Two Sisters to study some of its latent magical fields.
- >The sun hangs low in the sky as you near your home, greeted by a tan pony? Ah yes, it was too much
- to think that knowing you were with Rarity she'd just give up.
- >"Well howdy, sugarcube! Say, yer looking mighty swell today, is that a new shirt yer wearin'?"
- >"No." You're tired, you just want to slip into the grasp of your lady-love, not deal with this shit.
- >"Listen, Ah was thinkin'-"
- >"Not interested."
- >"Hold on! Hear me out! Ah was thinkin' since yer with Rarity now - and like ya told me, yer not
- leavin' her - ya might be open to uh... Darn, what did 'Shy call that thing..."
- >Is she actually suggesting...
- >"Aww, shoot, it's like a threesome but she used some a her fancy words fer it."
- >"Good night, Applejack." You push past her, closing the door in her face before she can object.
- >"But you said he'd be home by now!"
- >Oh you know that little voice. It's enough to bring a smile to your lips.
- >"And here he is now! Honestly, Sweetie Belle, you must learn to have a little patience."
- >The little filly turns to you and leaps into your arms once more, hugging you tightly. "Hi, Anon! We
- were waiting for you!"
- >You squeeze her gently before setting her down and moving on to Rarity. "And I've been waiting for
- this." Your hand touches her cheek and your lips meet hers, amidst an 'Awww!' from behind.
- >Pulling back you see her eyes closed and a wide smile upon those lips. "How do you always know
- what to bring home."
- >You help Rarity in preparing dinner. The first time you'd seen her cook had been amazing. All of that
- equipment was here for a reason, as with her pantry being so well stocked. No meal was too small not
- to be turned into something spectacular. Even the mundane was given her magnificent little flairs,
- turning it into a veritable artwork worthy of anything else she creates.
- >But more than that you enjoy sitting down with her and her sister. It's like... It's almost like you're a
- family. You know you and your paramour surely are but you have plans to seal that. You knew this was
- what you wanted your life in Equestria to be now.
- >After that Sweetie Belle shyly asks for help with her homework. You suspect it's more a chance to just
- spend time with you but you'd never deny her regardless. If only to see Rarity looking on so proudly.
- >With another day done you settle in for the night next to her. Despite the day's occurrences you don't
- let it get you down, your hands finding the warmth of her body more than welcome as she turns to you,
- that smile you know all too well clear even in this low light.
- >Not another word is said between you that night.
- >The rest of the week passes by... with difficulty. Every night you find yourself in Rarity's embrace,
- second-guessing whether you should even be going through with this. And every night she gently
- reminds you that this is necessary. That without this first step you'll forever be stuck at this precipice of
- pain.
- >And it is only by her that you have the strength to push beyond it. Only by her gentle touch and kind
- words that you feel yourself yet uplifted.
- >Friday comes.
- >You don't sleep much the night before. Neither does Rarity. You talk, she talks, you're not really sure
- what either of you talked about but you did. You get up early, wash, dress nicely, eat... everything feels
- so normal. Until you see her waiting for you at the door of your home. She'd reassured your again and
- again she'd be there.
- >The walk to Ponyville general is a long one. The building only lies on the far side of town but you
- make no hurry in getting there and Rarity doesn't rush you. Your hands are clasped behind you, a cold
- sweat running down your body. You feel sick.
- >And then she bumps against you lightly and smiles and you feel... not better but the knowledge that
- she's there, that she's the one in your life now is good to remember.
- >You stand outside Ponyville General. Take a deep breath, walk in. The smell of disinfectant is one you
- know. It's just a hospital. They've got a psychiatric ward but it's well locked down. You'll be okay.
- >You walk down the halls, doctors and nurses going about their business, ponies visit loved ones. It
- feels so surreal in how normal it all is.
- >Deeper into the building until you come to the point where the psychiatric wards are sectioned off.
- There's no going back now. Not when you've got your hand on her shoulder.
- >The doctor is waiting for you near the room where you'll be meeting her, a grey stallion with a blonde
- mane.
- >"Ah, Mister Anon, I'm glad you decided to come visit our patient. I really do believe this will be
- beneficial for her recovery."
- >You nod curtly. "Will there be-"
- >"Security?" He nods, still smiling. "Yes, yes, you needn't worry. We're well equipped to deal with
- some of our more... troublesome patients but I'm confident it won't be necessary." You're not.
- >He begins explaining to you that they've been using a combination of cognitive therapy and antipsychotics
- to help her condition. She's been responding well so far but she often mentions you and
- laments that she doesn't see you. Her other therapists believe being able to meet with you should help
- her better deal with what she did.
- >You don't really care for his words, seeing her for yourself will be the real test.
- >He stops you outside the room. "Now, -if- she does become violent please allow our staff to restrain
- her, they're trained to do so without injuring her." You're not sure if you have it in you to really resist if
- she tried... that again.
- >Rarity reaches up and touches your shoulder. "I'll be right here, my darling. As soon as this is over I'll
- be waiting for you." Her eyes glimmer slightly and you touch her hoof, hoping to reassure her. Or
- perhaps yourself.
- >You feel bile rise at the back of your throat as you step in. She's not there. Not yet. Just two burly
- looking guards at the opposite side of the room, a steel table and a chair on each side of it.
- >You take a seat and wait.
- >You're not sure how long you sit there before you hear muffled clopping from the door opposite you.
- The guards stand straight as its opened and... Dash is ushered through by a large brown pony.
- >She's wearing the same pale green gown the other patients do but there's something different. Some...
- thing is attached to her wings at the back, holding them by her sides.
- >She blinks once, twice. Squints leaning forward and then takes a few steps in.
- >"A-... Anon?"
- >You swallow in a dry throat and nod. Her face lights up.
- >"Anon! I-It's really you! You came! You... You came..." Her smile widens as her eyes moisten.
- "They... they said you'd come but..." She walks the rest of the way and sits down on the chair, holding
- her hooves over the table.
- >At any other time you might have reached out and gently taken them in your hands but right now...
- Right now they serve only to remind you of how they pressed against you as she...
- >"I missed you so much, Anon!" She sounds so happy. Like nothing ever happened. Like she never did
- a thing. "Anon? You okay? C-Can you hear me?" There's a nervous little chuckle.
- >"Yes." Her face lights up once more.
- >"I really missed your voice!" She looks down and pulls her hooves back over the table. "Um... the
- doctors told me... told me there's something I gotta say..." She frowns heavily, looking down into her
- lap. "I... I'm sorry?" She looks back up to you, understanding washing over her features. "I'm sorry. II'm
- sorry!"
- >For a split second you believe her. You see the way her lip quivers and her eyes glisten again. How
- she brings a shaking hoof up over the table and holds it out. "I'm sory-y-y-y!" She chokes suddenly,
- sobs wracking her body. "I-I-I I dunno... what to... say..."
- >"There's nothing you can say." She continues sobbing, though she's looking at you now. "After what
- you did to me-" No, that's something you can't say. Not to her.
- >"Oh... oh my gosh..." Her sobbing ceases and the hoof goes to her mouth. "I-I did that. I -did- that,
- didn't I?"
- >You feel your fists clench at your side as you nod slowly to her. Hating her is better than fearing her.
- Better than feeling sick at what she did.
- >"Bro. Bro I... I can't-"
- >"Don't call me that." No, why is your voice quavering like this. You can't let her think she's bested
- you. "You're not my bro, Dash. Not any more." You clench your fists tighter against this.
- >"But... But I'm... your bro." She frowns slightly, mouth falling. "I... that's what I am. That's why you
- came here. That's why I'm here. 'Cause I... hurt you." She looks down now, frowning more heavily. "I
- hurt you because... because of... her..."
- >That voice... you don't like the hard edge that enters her voice at that last word. "Dash forget about
- her." You won't - can't. But if you're going to do this you need to keep her calm. "Talk about me. Me."
- >She holds herself for a moment before letting out a shaky breath. "Yeah... you. Us." Her smile returns.
- "I... I'm getting out soon, ya know that? The docs say I'm doing great!"
- >Oh Christ... Dash, out on the streets again. Out where she can get you, can touch you can...
- >"How, uh, how do you feel about... me?" You feel sick again. If only they'd given you something for
- these blasted nerves.
- >A very unsettling smile tugs back her lips. "C'mon bro, you know how I feel, right?" She leans across
- the table, lowering her voice. "You told me before, it's okay."
- >"Dash, it's not okay. You remember that, right?" She frowns suddenly, pulling back.
- >"You said... you said you had somep0ny else... um..."
- >Alright, pull her back. "Have the girls been visiting you?" You know they have, Twilight told you of
- Dash's progress but you're starting to doubt her words now.
- >"Girls? Oh yeah! Applejack was in. Pfft, she was all 'Ah just dunno what Ah'm gonna do about Anon,
- he don't seem ta want me' but I just reminded her you're my guy." She snickers into a hoof. Jesus, if this
- is her making progress then what the hell was she like when they first started working with her?
- >"How about Twilight?" This should be interesting.
- >"Twi? Oh yeah, she was telling me all about you. She said you were real happy working with her
- but... um, she said you were helping somep0ny else too..." She looks off, her eyes vacant. "I... I can't
- remember who it was. Pinkie? Was it her?"
- >You don't move a muscle, don't give her any hint of who it is.
- >"Pinkie came to see me too. She wanted to throw a party - in a hospital! Can you believe her?"
- >It's so strange: she seems almost normal when Rarity isn't mentioned but as soon as she is she sounds
- like she's slipping away. How haven't her doctors noticed that?
- >"Y-Yeah, she's kinda funny." You try to smile and are sure it comes off more as a grimace. Dash buys
- it, grinning back to you. You don't like the sight of that.
- >"Hey, one of the girls didn't see me. It was..." You can't avoid this, eventually she's going to come up.
- >"Rarity."
- >"Yeah! Her! What is she caught up in her *snerk* dresses?" Why is she so suddenly normal? She's
- actually smiling and talking normally about her. Was it just a slip earlier?
- >"Uh... yeah, she's been really caught up in some big orders from-"
- >"How do you know that?" And there comes the little edge creeping in again. "How would -you- know
- what she's up to."
- >"Because, Dash-" Okay, just try to be reasonable, maybe you can calm her down.
- >"Because you're bucking her! Aren't you!" It comes out through gritted teeth and her eyes stare
- daggers at you. "You... You were -my- guy. I waited for you. I waited... three years." Even through her
- anger her lower lip starts to tremble again. "I was such a... good pony. I even held them off and you...
- why didn't you..." She stops, raising a hoof again, holding it on the table.
- >"Dash, you know why. You-"
- >"I had to!" She almost shouts that, the guards at the rear lean forward. "You... you weren't gonna give
- me my chance!" Tears start falling down her cheeks, her gown puffing out with her deep breaths. "Why
- couldn't you understand? I love you, Anon! I always loved you!"
- >No she doesn't. This isn't love, you know what love is. You hold it in your arms every night.
- >"Please, Dash, don't just throw it all away."
- >"I'm not! You are!" She slams her hooves on the table, the guards take a few steps foward. "I don't
- wanna life without you!" She stretches a hoof across the table to you. "Please, Anon! Please just don't
- shoot me down!"
- >You press back against your chair, suddenly terrified of that little blue hoof. "D-Dash, c'mon now-"
- >"Please! That's all it'll take! I swear!" She pulls herself onto the table, the guards start moving foward
- quicker. You begin scrabbling against the floor. "J-Just one chance! Just one!"
- >She darts forward and in an instant the guards are on top of her, she wails as they pull her back off the
- table. Only now are you aware of how heavy your breathing is as you slowly lean forward and place
- your hands on that cold steel.
- >"Please, Anon! Please! Just let me show you that I..." It trails off as she's dragged out, the door closed
- behind her.
- >You sit for minutes longer, just staring at that door, wondering what's not to become of her. Presently,
- the door behind you opens. You stand on shaky legs and wobble out, Rarity rushing up to you as you
- exit. Your arms find her back and you don't stop yourself as the tears come.
- >"I'm... very sorry about that, Mister Anon. She'd been much more responsive with the others. We
- thought she was fit enough to meet with you but... well, clearly she's still far too much of a danger to
- release just yet. We shall continue with our treatments, however."
- >You don't really listen to him, don't really care. You care about the mare in your arms and the way she
- holds you tightly to herself, whispering that it's okay now, you're out of there.
- >In time you compose yourself and Rarity lets go. "How do you feel?"
- >You look into her eyes and try to find the words. "Horrible..." You can't.
- >"Yes." It's very quiet when she says that. "You will. I'm sorry, my darling, there's nothing I can say
- that will ease your pain. Nothing I can do."
- >You sniff, bending down to slip an arm over her. "You can... stay with me."
- >She nuzzles in against your neck. "Oh yes, of course! You don't have to fear facing any of this without
- me." Taking a deep breath you pull back from her.
- >"Let's go. I don't... want to be here any more." She nods and you both set off with more purpose than
- you entered.
- ******************
- >In her dreams, she's flying. High above the clouds, nothing and nop0ny can touch her. Light balms her
- tired limbs and cool winds blow through her soft mane. She dives down suddenly, already knowing
- where he'll be.
- >He's by the lake. Their lake. The one she stops at every evening. Diving faster and faster until... she
- halts suddenly. She doesn't want to hurt him, she loves him too much for that. Instead she pulls up to
- find him reclining against the tree, smiling, waiting for her as always.
- >The mare trots over and embraces him. He's so warm, so comforting to her. It's cold after the dive, she
- likes this. He tells her they can't stay. She recoils, why not? Because they have a warm bed awaiting
- them.
- >She doesn't wait, flying ahead of him. She is so happy.
- >They are in his home. No, their home. He made it theirs some time ago so everything could be
- perfect. Everything -is- perfect now. Now it is.
- >She waits on their bed, larger than anything she'd ever need. Another reminder of who she shares it
- with. She presses her nose into the pillow, breathing in his scent. It makes her shudder in a way she
- loves the feeling of.
- >He walks in, smiling to her. She smiles back, patting the bed. He doesn't hesitate but takes his time
- undressing, of course he would know how much she loves it. Slipping under the covers she shivers at
- this warmth she loves so well.
- >She loves him so, so much. She leans forward, eyes closing...
- >She wakes to find herself on a hard bed, cold walls all around and darkness. It's often dark in the cell.
- >He is not here. There are no clouds, she cannot fly.
- >She is alone.
- ******************
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